From Latin 'in-' (into) + 'premere' (to press) — stamping a seal into wax became the metaphor for experience stamped into the mind.
Definition
To make a strong, lasting effect on someone's mind or feelings; to press or stamp a mark into a surface.
The Full Story
Latin14th centurywell-attested
From Latin 'impressus,' past participle of 'imprimere' (to press into, to stamp, to imprint), composed of 'in-' (into, upon) + 'premere' (to press, to squeeze, to push). ThePIEroot is *per- or *prem- (to press, strike). The original Englishmeaningwas entirely physical: to press a seal, die, or stamp into wax or soft metal,
Did you know?
The Impressionist artmovement (1870s) got its name from a hostile critic. Claude Monet exhibited a painting called 'Impression, soleil levant' (Impression, Sunrise) in 1874, and the critic Louis Leroy used 'Impressionniste' mockingly, implying the artists merely gave 'impressions' rather than finished work. The artists adopted the insult as their banner — one of art history's most famous
itself into your memory the way a seal presses into wax. The forced naval recruitment sense (to 'impress' men into service, giving us 'press gang') comes from a separate route via 'prest' (advance payment, a retainer), not directly from 'premere.' Key roots: in- (Latin: "into, upon"), premere / pressum (Latin: "to press").