impress1

[v. im-pres; n. im-pres] /v. ɪmˈprɛs; n. ˈɪm prɛs/
verb (used with object), impressed or (Archaic) imprest; impressing.
1.
to affect deeply or strongly in mind or feelings; influence in opinion:
He impressed us as a sincere young man.
2.
to fix deeply or firmly on the mind or memory, as ideas or facts:
to impress the importance of honesty on a child.
3.
to urge, as something to be remembered or done:
She impressed the need for action on them.
4.
to press (a thing) into or on something.
5.
to impose a particular characteristic or quality upon (something):
The painter impressed his love of garish colors upon the landscape.
6.
to produce (a mark, figure, etc.) by pressure; stamp; imprint:
The king impressed his seal on the melted wax.
7.
to apply with pressure, so as to leave a mark.
8.
to subject to or mark by pressure with something.
9.
to furnish with a mark, figure, etc., by or as if by stamping.
10.
Electricity. to produce (a voltage) or cause (a voltage) to appear or be produced on a conductor, circuit, etc.
verb (used without object), impressed or (Archaic) imprest; impressing.
11.
to create a favorable impression; draw attention to oneself:
a child's behavior intended to impress.
noun
12.
the act of impressing.
13.
a mark made by or as by pressure; stamp; imprint.
14.
a distinctive character or effect imparted:
writings that bear the impress of a strong personality.
Origin
1325-75; Middle English < Latin impressus past participle of imprimere to press into or upon, impress, equivalent to im- im-1 + pressus past participle of premere (combining form -primere) to press1; see print
Related forms
impresser, noun
Synonyms
1. move, sway, disturb; persuade.

impress2

[v. im-pres; n. im-pres] /v. ɪmˈprɛs; n. ˈɪm prɛs/
verb (used with object), impressed or (Archaic) imprest; impressing.
1.
to press or force into public service, as sailors.
2.
to seize or take for public use.
3.
to take or persuade into service by forceful arguments:
The neighbors were impressed into helping the family move.
noun
4.
impressment.
Origin
1590-1600; im-1 + press2
Examples from the web for impress
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  • When judged by its size, our vocal system fails to impress as a musical instrument.
  • Readers, now's your chance to impress us with your witty captions.
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  • The incident ought to impress the lesson that the dangers of the lakes rival those of the ocean.
  • It's not urgent for you to impress other people, beyond your dissertation committee.
  • The aim was to bludgeon speculators and impress creditors.
  • But the phone failed to impress with its battery life.
  • The addition of cream and spices makes it delicious and elegant enough to serve at dinners where you want to impress your guests.
British Dictionary definitions for impress

impress1

verb (transitive) (ɪmˈprɛs)
1.
to make an impression on; have a strong, lasting, or favourable effect on: I am impressed by your work
2.
to produce (an imprint, etc) by pressure in or on (something): to impress a seal in wax, to impress wax with a seal
3.
(often foll by on) to stress (something to a person); urge; emphasize: to impress the danger of a situation on someone
4.
to exert pressure on; press
5.
(electronics) to apply (a voltage) to a circuit or device
noun (ˈɪmprɛs)
6.
the act or an instance of impressing
7.
a mark, imprint, or effect produced by impressing
Derived Forms
impresser, noun
impressible, adjective
Word Origin
C14: from Latin imprimere to press into, imprint, from premere to press1

impress2

verb (ɪmˈprɛs)
1.
to commandeer or coerce (men or things) into government service; press-gang
noun (ˈɪmprɛs)
2.
the act of commandeering or coercing into government service; impressment
Word Origin
C16: see im-in-², press²
Word Origin and History for impress
v.

late 14c., "have a strong effect on the mind or heart," from Latin impressus, past participle of imprimere "press into or upon, stamp," from assimilated form of in- "into, in, on, upon" (see in- (2)) + premere "to press" (see press (v.1)). Literal sense of "to apply with pressure, make a permanent image in, indent, imprint" is from early 15c. in English. Sense of "to levy for military service" is from 1590s, a meaning more from press (v.2). Related: Impressed; impressing.

n.

"act of impressing," also "characteristic mark," 1590s, from impress (v.).