Im’po-si’tion, n.

(-zĭsh’ŭn), n. [Fr. imposition, Sp. imposicion, It. imposizione, Pr. impositio, emposicio, Lat. impositio. See IMPOSE.]

1Sense 1. The act of imposing, laying on, affixing, enjoining, inflicting, obtruding, and the like. “The imposition of strict laws.” Milton. “The first imposition of names.” Hammond.

2Sense 2. That which is imposed, laid on, or enjoined; charge; burden; injunction; levy; tax.

3Sense 3. (Eng. Universities.) A supernumerary exercise enjoined on students as a punishment.

Literary tasks, called impositions, or frequent compulsive attendances on tedious and unimproving exercises in a college hall. T. Warton.

4Sense 4. An excessive or unlawful exaction; hence, a trick or deception put or laid on others; deception; fraud; delusion; cheating; imposture. “An idle and most false imposition.” Shak.

5Sense 5. (Eccl.) The act of laying on the hands as a religious ceremony, in ordination and the like.

Synonyms—Deception; deceit; fraud; imposture. See DECEPTION.