imprint
UK[ˈɪmprɪnt]US[ˈɪmprɪnt]
v
to produce a mark or pattern on a surface by pressing or stamping.
v
to fix something firmly in someone's mind or memory.
n
a mark or pattern made by pressing or stamping.
n
a lasting or significant influence or effect.
Morpheme Breakdown
im
print
im
in
print
press
Etymology
the word 'imprint' entered english in the late 14th century from the old french 'empreinter', meaning 'to stamp, impress'. this, in turn, derived from the vulgar latin 'impremere', a compound of the latin prefix 'in-' (meaning 'into, upon') and the verb 'premere' (meaning 'to press'). the core semantic logic has remained remarkably consistent from its latin roots: the act of pressing something into a surface to create a mark. over time, this physical concept was metaphorically extended to describe the process of fixing ideas, memories, or influences firmly in the mind, much like a seal is pressed into wax.
Analysis
Structure: im (in) + print (press)
im- (Latin prefix, a form of 'in-' meaning 'in, into, on'), print (from Latin 'premere', to press, via Old French 'preinte', a pressed mark).
Examples
the design was imprinted on the fabric using a hot press.
the traumatic event was imprinted on her memory forever.
the book bears the imprint of a famous publishing house.