impose

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To officially force a rule, tax, or punishment on people.

   The government imposed a new tax on imported cars.

2. 2
   verb

   To force something unwanted, such as a duty or burden, on someone.

   He tried to impose his opinions on everyone at the meeting.

3. 3
   verb

   To take unfair advantage of someone's kindness or time.

   I don't want to impose on you, but could I stay one more night?

The verb is derived from Late Middle English imposen (“to place, set; to impose (a duty, etc.)”), borrowed from Middle French imposer, and Old French emposer, enposer (“to impose (a duty, tax, etc.)”) (modern French imposer), from im-, em- (variants of en- (prefix meaning ‘in, into’)) + poser (“to place, put”), modelled after: * Latin impōnere (“to place or set (something) on; (figurative) to impose (a duty, tax, etc.)”), from im- (variant of in- (prefix meaning ‘on, upon’)) + pōnō (“to place, put; etc.”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂pó, *h₂epó (“away; off”) + *tḱey- (“to cultivate;…

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