impress

Where does the word "impress" come from? It comes from Latin imprimere, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Impress’s story begins in Latin: imprimere meant “to press into.” To press into, from in- (into) and premere (to press). It reached English by 1300s as impress. Settled as the English word for making a strong impact on someone's mind. Today, impress means to make someone feel admiration or respect.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient imprimere "to press into", to press into, from in- (into) and premere (to press).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s impress "to make a strong positive impact on someone", settled as the English word for making a strong impact on someone's mind.