impregnate
verb
- to make pregnant, full with, full with (child)
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈɪmprɛɡnət/ / /ɪmˈprɛɡnət/ / /ˈɪmpɹɛɡneɪt/ / /ɪmˈpɹɛɡneɪt/
adj
Etymology: The adjective is first attested in 1540, the verb in 1605; borrowed from Medieval Latin impraegnātus, perfect passive participle of Latin impraegnō, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix). Doublet of impregn; participial usage of the adjective up until Early Modern English.
- Impregnated (all senses).
- Pregnant, with child.
- Rendered fruitful, prolific.
- Imbued, saturated, permeated or filled with.
“There Juno stopped, and, her fair steeds unloosed, Of air condensed a vapour circumfused: For these, impregnate with celestial dew, On Simoïs' brink ambrosial herbage grew.”
- Impregnable.
verb
Etymology: The adjective is first attested in 1540, the verb in 1605; borrowed from Medieval Latin impraegnātus, perfect passive participle of Latin impraegnō, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix). Doublet of impregn; participial usage of the adjective up until Early Modern English.
- To cause to become pregnant.
“I was impregnated at a clinic but don't know who the sperm donor is.”
“A speech impregnated with references to the Constitution.”
- To fertilize.
- To saturate, or infuse.
“To Tartarize, ta²r'ta⁴r-i¹ze, v. a. To impregnate with tartar.”
“We find those charæ which secrete the largest quantity of calcareous matter in their stems to abound near springs impregnated with carbonate of lime.”
- To fill pores or spaces with a substance.
“It takes a little time for the personal fatty acids to impregnate new shoes or boots, but from the scent point of view leather is a sponge, and the personal scent is left.”
- To become pregnant.
“Were they, like Spanish Jennets, to impregnate by the Wind, they could not have thought on a more proper Invention.”