Impose Definition
ĭm-pōz
imposed, imposes, imposing
verb
imposed, imposes, imposing
To place or set (a burden, tax, fine, etc. on or upon) as by authority.
Webster's New World
To establish or apply as compulsory; levy.
Impose a tax.
American Heritage
To bring about by authority or force; force to prevail.
Impose a peace settlement.
American Heritage
To force (oneself, one's presence or will, etc.) on another or others without right or invitation; obtrude.
Webster's New World
To pass off; foist, esp. by deception.
To impose false cures on unsuspecting patients.
Webster's New World
idiom
impose on
- to take advantage of; put to some trouble or use unfairly for one's own benefit
- to cheat or defraud
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Impose
- impose on
Origin of Impose
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Middle English imposen from Old French imposer alteration (influenced by poser to put, place) of Latin impōnere to place upon in- on in–2 pōnere to place apo- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Middle French imposer (“to lay on, impose”), taking the place of Latin imponere (“to lay on, impose”), from in (“on, upon”) + ponere (“to put place”).
From Wiktionary
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