Im*pose" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Imposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Imposing.] [F. imposer; pref. im- in +
poser to place. See Pose, v. t.]
1. To lay on; to set or place; to put; to
deposit.
Cakes of salt and barley [she] did impose
Within a wicker basket.
Chapman.
2. To lay as a charge, burden, tax, duty,
obligation, command, penalty, etc.; to enjoin; to levy; to inflict;
as, to impose a toll or tribute.
What fates impose, that men must needs
abide.
Shak.
Death is the penalty imposed.
Milton.
Thou on the deep imposest nobler
laws.
Waller.
3. (Eccl.) To lay on, as the hands, in
the religious rites of confirmation and ordination.
4. (Print.) To arrange in proper order
on a table of stone or metal and lock up in a chase for printing; --
said of columns or pages of type, forms, etc.
Im*pose", v. i. To practice tricks
or deception.
To impose on or upon, to
pass or put a trick on; to delude. "He imposes on
himself, and mistakes words for things." Locke.
Im*pose", n. A command;
injunction. [Obs.] Shak.