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impression (n.)

late 14c., "mark produced by pressure," also "image produced in the mind or emotions by something external," from Old French impression "print, stamp; a pressing on the mind" (13c.), from Latin impressionem (nominative impressio) "a pressing into, onset, attack," figuratively "a perception, mental impression," literally "a pressing into," from imprimere "press into or upon" (see impress (v.1)).

Meaning "act or process of making a mark upon the surface by pressing" is from early 15c.. Meaning "copy made by pressure from type or an engraving" is from 1550s; that of "printing of a number of copies, aggregate of copies printed at one time" is from 1570s. Meaning "belief, vague notion" (as in under the impression) is from 1610s.

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Definitions of impression from WordNet

impression (n.)
an impressionistic portrayal of a person;
he did a funny impression of a politician
impression (n.)
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed;
his impression of her was favorable
Synonyms: feeling / belief / notion / opinion
impression (n.)
an outward appearance;
I wanted to create an impression of success
he made a good impression
Synonyms: effect
impression (n.)
a clear and telling mental image;
the events left a permanent impression in his mind
Synonyms: mental picture / picture
impression (n.)
a concavity in a surface produced by pressing;
he left the impression of his fingers in the soft mud
Synonyms: depression / imprint
impression (n.)
a symbol that is the result of printing or engraving;
Synonyms: stamp
impression (n.)
all the copies of a work printed at one time;
Synonyms: printing
impression (n.)
(dentistry) an imprint of the teeth and gums in wax or plaster;
the dentist took an impression for use in preparing an inlay
impression (n.)
the act of pressing one thing on or into the surface of another;
he watched the impression of the seal on the hot wax
From wordnet.princeton.edu