† imˈprese, ˈimprese Obs.
Also 6 ympreze, 6–7 imprease, 7 impreze.
[a. obs. F. imprese (1562 in Godefroy), ad. It. impresa impresa.]
1. A device, emblem: = impresa 1.
| 1588 Fraunce Lawiers Log. ¶ij, Hieroglyphikes, and Italian Impreses. 1589 Pasquil's Ret. 10 Scutchions, Emblems, Impreases, strange trickes, and deuises. 1590 R. W. Three Lords London (N.), That for his ympreze gives queene Junoes bird. 1604 Edmonds Observ. Cæsar's Comm. vii. vii. II. 60 An Imprese with a circle, and a hand with a sharpe stile pointing towards the center with this motto: Hic labor, hoc opus. 1667 Milton P.L. ix. 35 Emblazon'd Shields, Impreses quaint. |
2. A motto:
= impresa 2.
| 1614 R. Wilkinson Paire Serm. 78 Ich dien, the word or imprease of the English prince. 1635 R. Brathwait Arcad. Pr. ii. 44 But whence the cause? eye the impreze, and it will informe thee. c 1811 Lamb Melanch. Tailors Wks. 1818 II. 186 The beautiful motto which formed the modest imprese of the shield. |
| fig. a 1659 Lady Alimony ii. iii, Your choice has crown'd me; Nor shall track of time Raze out that Impreze which your free assent Has here ingraven. |
Hence
† imˈpresed ppl. a., furnished with an imprese.
| 1590 R. W. Three Lords London (N.), Their shields ymprez'd with gilt copertiments. |