# impression

Pronunciation: say "im-PRESH-uhn" /ɪmˈpɹɛʃən/

## Noun

1. The overall effect that a person, thing, or experience has on someone's mind or feelings.
   - Simple: The general feeling or idea that a person or thing leaves in your mind.
   - _His confident handshake created a positive first impression._
   - _The museum's grand entrance left a lasting impression on every visitor._
2. A vague recollection of an event, or a belief held without firm certainty.
   - Simple: A vague memory or belief about something, when you are not fully sure.
   - _Her impression of the meeting was that nothing had really been decided._
   - _I was under the impression that the train left at noon._
3. A mark, dent, or hollow left in a surface by the pressure of one object pressing into it.
   - Simple: A mark or dent made when one thing presses into another.
   - _The dentist took an impression of her teeth before fitting the crown._
   - _Each key press left a faint impression on the wax tablet._
4. An imitation of another person's voice, mannerisms, or behavior, often performed to entertain.
   - Simple: A copy of the way someone talks or behaves, often done to make people laugh.
   - _The comedian's impression of the president was uncanny._
   - _She does a spot-on impression of her boss's nervous laugh._
5. The outward appearance that something presents to an observer.
   - Simple: The way something looks or seems from the outside.
   - _The polished lobby creates an impression of corporate success._
   - _His tailored suit gave the impression of effortless authority._
6. A print made on paper from an inked wood block, metal plate, or similar engraved surface.
   - Simple: A picture printed onto paper from an inked block or metal plate.
   - _The gallery displayed an early impression pulled from the copper plate._
   - _Collectors prize the first impression taken from a worn engraving._
7. A single print run of a publication, every copy of which matches the others in content, pagination, layout, and other details.
   - Simple: All the copies of a book printed at the same time, with the same pages.
   - _The publisher ordered a new impression without altering a single word._
   - _The rare first impression carried a printing error on page ten._
8. A count of one instance in which an online ad or post is displayed to a user.
   - Simple: One time that an online ad or post is shown to someone.
   - _The campaign racked up thousands of impressions in a single afternoon._
   - _Advertisers pay for each impression their banner generates._
9. A vivid perception of something as it is directly experienced, as distinct from ideas drawn from memory or imagination.
   - Simple: A strong, clear feeling you get from something while you are sensing it, not from memory.
   - _A sudden impression of cold struck her the moment she stepped outside._
   - _The painter worked from the immediate impression the landscape made on his senses._
10. The first coat of color applied to a surface, such as the priming used in house painting.
   - Simple: The first coat of paint put on a surface before the main color.
   - _The decorator applied an impression to the bare plaster before the topcoat._
   - _An even impression keeps the finish coat from soaking into the wood._

## Verb

11. To work a blank key inside a lock so it picks up marks of the lock's shape, which helps in cutting a duplicate.
   - Simple: To rub a blank key inside a lock to mark it, so you can cut a matching key.
   - _Locksmiths impression the blank by turning it against the pins and reading the marks._
   - _She can impression a simple pin tumbler lock entirely by hand._

## Origin

From Old French "impression," from Latin "impressio." It is equivalent to "impress" plus the suffix "-ion."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/impression (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).