imprint
im-PRINT
ɪmˈprɪnt
To impress or stamp (a mark or outline) on a surface; to fix firmly in the mind or memory.
An imprint is a deep, lasting memory that is often formed during a formative period or a significant event.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'imprimere,' meaning to press into. It originally referred to the physical act of stamping a seal into wax.
Word relationships
- etch: Etch implies a sharp, precise carving; imprint is more about pressure and stamping.
Commonly confused with
- impression: An impression is often a vague feeling; an imprint is a specific, fixed mark.
Collocations
- lasting imprint
- leave an imprint
- digital imprint
Example sentences
- "The teacher's kindness left a lasting imprint on the young student's character." Education
- "Ducklings will imprint on the first moving object they see after hatching." Biology
Memory hook
Imprint = In-Print. Like printing something permanently into your brain. Stamped in.
When not to use
Don't use it for fleeting or unimportant thoughts.
Fun facts
- In publishing, an 'imprint' is a trade name under which a book is published.
Also appears in
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