impression English · revision 5804

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1398|origins=la impressio}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɪmˈpreʃ.ən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English impressioun, [[bor|fro|impression|t=print, stamp; a pressing on the mind]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) from [[la|impressiō|t=a pressing into; an attack; a perception]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from the past participle of [[m|la|imprimere|t=to press into or upon]] (see [[impress]] and [[imprint]]),^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|la|in-]] and [[m|la|premere|t=to press]].^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A mark made on a surface by pressure, especially by a seal: 1398 in the OED, the late 14th century in Etymonline, which also has an image produced in the mind.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ An attack or onset is from 1402, now obsolete.^(OED 1989) The act of pressing one thing into another is from the early 15th century, 1444 in the OED.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The effect of one thing on another, as in ''to make no impression on'', is late Middle English.^(SOED 2002) A copy printed from type or an engraving is from the 1550s, and all the copies printed at one time from the 1570s.^(Etymonline) A vague belief, as in ''under the impression'', is attested by the 1610s.^(Etymonline) An imitation of a famous person, as performed by an entertainer, is a modern sense.^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1398 – a mark by pressure.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1402 – an attack (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1444 – the act of pressing.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1550s – a printed copy.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1570s – a printing of copies.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1610s – a vague notion.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An idea or feeling about someone or something, formed without much evidence: ''a good first impression''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A vague belief: ''I was under the impression that''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An effect on the mind or feelings.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A mark made by pressing.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An imitation of a well-known person, done for entertainment.^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+ # All the copies of a book printed at one time.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[impressional]]

+ * [[impressionally]]

+ * [[impressionless]]

+ * [[impressionistic]]

+ * [[misimpression]]

+ * [[reimpression]]

+ * [[impressionable]]

+ * [[impressionism]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[impress]]

+ * [[impressive]]

+ * [[imprint]]

+ * [[press]]

+ * [[print]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The AHD compares impression with impress, imprint, print and stamp, all nouns for a visible mark made on a surface by pressure.^(AHD) In Dorset dialect, impression meant oppression, as of the chest.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}