Im-prĕs'sion, n.
(prĕsh'un), n. [Fr. impression, Sp. impresión, It. impressione, Pr. empressio, Lat. impressio.]
Sense 1. The act of impressing or stamping; marking by pressure or imprint; the communication of a stamp, mold, or character, by external force.
Sense 2. That which is produced by pressure; — as, (a.) A stamp made by pressure; mark; indentation, as an impression on wax, &c. (b.) Sensible result of an influence exerted from without; effect of an attack made, a power caused to operate, an affecting agency exerted, or the like.
To shelter us from impressions of weather, we must spin, we must weave, we must build. Barrow.
(c.) Influence on the purposes, feelings, or actions; hence, sometimes, love, interest, concern.
His words impression left. Milton.
I have a father's dear impression And wish, before I fall into my grave, That I might see her married. Ford.
(d.) Effect or influence on the organs of sense, which is the condition of sensation or sensible perception; the object as perceived and remembered; hence, an indistinct notion, remembrance, or belief. (e.) A copy taken by pressure from type, from an engraved plate, or the like; hence, also, all the copies of a work taken at once; an edition.
For ten impressions which his books have had in so many years, at present a hundred books are scarcely purchased in a twelvemonth. Dryden.
Sense 3. That which impresses, or exercises an effect, action, or agency. “The portentous blaze of comets and impressions in the air.” Milton. “A fiery impression falling from out of heaven to earth.” Holland.
Sense 4. Impressiveness; emphasis. [Obs.]
Which must be read with an impression, and understood limitedly. Milton.
Sense 5. (Paint.) (a.) The ground-color, or that which is first laid on to receive the other colors. (b.) A stratum of a single color laid upon a wall or surface for ornament, upon outside work, or upon metals to protect from humidity.