Main Entry: im·pose

Pronunciation: \im-ˈpōz\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): im·posed; im·pos·ing

Etymology: Middle French imposer, from Latin imponere, literally, to put upon (perfect indicative imposui), from in- + ponere to put — more at position

Date: 1581

transitive verb 1 a : to establish or apply by authority <impose a tax> <impose new restrictions> <impose penalties> b : to establish or bring about as if by force <those limits imposed by our own inadequacies — C. H. Plimpton>
2 a : place, set b : to arrange (as pages) in the proper order for printing
3 : pass off <impose fake antiques on the public>
4 : to force into the company or on the attention of another <impose oneself on others>intransitive verb : to take unwarranted advantage of something <imposed on his good nature>

— im·pos·er noun