ˈpress-ˌwarrant Now Hist.
[f. press n.2 + warrant n.]
A warrant giving authority to impress men for the service of the navy or army.
| a 1688 Villiers (Dk. Buckhm.) Sea Officers, And in their Pockets carried their Press-Warrants. 1770 Chron. in Ann. Reg. 147/2 Press-warrants were sent to Portsmouth, and next morning the press-gangs went on board the merchant ships. 1904 Daily Chron. 3 Sept. 3/2 In 1673–4..Colonel Strode, the Governor of Dover Castle, had refused point blank to execute a press warrant till he knew what Parliament would say. |