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 verb1 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 printing3: 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