Definition

1. Noun:

   • A mark or depression made by pressure: A physical mark left on a surface by something being pressed into it.
   • A lasting effect or influence: A distinctive, often profound, influence that shapes character or perception.
   • A publisher's identifying name and details: The name of a publisher, along with edition and location details, printed in a book.

2. Verb:

   • To mark or stamp by pressing: To physically press something onto a surface to leave a mark.
   • To establish firmly in the mind or memory: To fix an idea, feeling, or memory so it has a lasting effect.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The fossil showed the clear imprint of a leaf. (The fossil displayed the distinct mark left by a leaf.)
  • Her teaching style bears the imprint of her own inspiring mentor. (Her teaching style shows the lasting influence of her own inspiring mentor.)
  • The novel was published by a famous literary imprint. (The novel was released under the name of a well-known literary publisher.)

• Verb:

  • The child imprinted her hand in the wet clay. (The child pressed her hand into the wet clay to leave its shape.)
  • The traumatic event was imprinted on his memory forever. (The traumatic event was fixed permanently in his memory.)

Advanced Usage

• "to imprint something on/upon something": To establish a strong, lasting connection or memory.

  • The smell of the ocean was imprinted on her mind from childhood. (The smell of the ocean was permanently fixed in her memory from her youth.)

• In behavioral science: Refers to a rapid, early learning process in some animals where they form a strong attachment.

  • The ducklings imprinted on the first moving object they saw, which happened to be the researcher. (The ducklings formed an irreversible attachment to the first moving object they observed.)

Variants and Related Words

• Imprinting (n): The process or result of imprinting, especially the rapid learning process in young animals.
  • Filial imprinting is crucial for the survival of many bird species.
• Imprinted (adj): Marked or fixed with an imprint.
  • The imprinted logo was visible on the leather.

Synonyms

• Noun (mark): Impression, indentation, stamp.
• Noun (influence): Mark, stamp, hallmark.
• Verb (to mark): Impress, stamp, emboss.
• Verb (to fix in memory): Engrave, etch, instill.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Imprint on/upon: To have a lasting effect or to be firmly established in.
  • His words imprinted themselves upon my heart. (His words became permanently fixed in my emotions.)

Related Idioms

• "to bear the imprint of": To show clear signs of a particular influence or origin.
  • The city's architecture bears the imprint of several different historical periods. (The city's architecture clearly shows the influence of several different historical eras.)

Noun

1. a device produced by pressure on a surface
2. an impression produced by pressure or printing
3. an identification of a publisher; a publisher's name along with the date and address and edition that is printed at the bottom of the title page
   • the book was published under a distinguished imprint
4. a concavity in a surface produced by pressing
   • he left the impression of his fingers in the soft mud
5. a distinctive influence
   • English stills bears the imprint of the Norman invasion

Verb

1. mark or stamp with or as if with pressure
   • To make a batik, you impress a design with wax
2. establish or impress firmly in the mind
   • We imprint our ideas onto our children