impound (im POWND) vt.1. to take and hold or shut up (an animal) in a
pound; 2. to take and hold (a vehicle, money, papers, etc.) in legal custody
- The pug was impoundedfor seven days to make sure that he had no danger-
ous illnesses. - Francine’s car was impoundeduntil $435 in overdue parking tickets were
paid.
[-ed, -ing]
impression (im PRESH in) n.1. a mark or imprint caused by physical pressure;
- an effect formed in the mind or senses by some force or activity; 3. a vague
notion, feeling, or recollection
- When you sit on the sofa, your derriere makes an impressionin the cushion.
- Rosa’s demeanor gave Pietro the impressionthat she would welcome an
invitation from him to the prom. - Howard had the impressionthat he’d seen all this before.
[Syn. idea]
impressive (im PRES iv) adj.tending to have or having a significant effect on
the mind; wondrous; causing admiration - Irwin’s ability to lift 350 lbs. can only be called impressive.
- Marjory displayed an impressivecommand of spelling at the national
spelling bee.
[-ly adv., -ness n.]
improve (im PROOV) vt.1. to make better; improve the condition or quality of;
- to make more valuable (as in by cultivating or building on land)
- New spark plugs improvethe way some cars run.
- Keeping the amount of salt low improvesthe healthfulness of soup.
- When Virginia improvedher property by building the boathouse, she was
not surprised to see her taxes go up.
[-d, improving] [Syn. better]
impugn(im PYOON) vt.to criticize or challenge as false or questionable in
nature - The defense witness was called to impugnthe testimony of an earlier prose-
cution witness. - The interview with Ari’s eighth-grade teacher was enough to impugnAri’s
reputation for honesty.
[-ed, -ing] [Syn. deny]
impulse(IM puhls) n.1. a driving force; push; impetus; thrust; sudden urge; 2.
an inclination to act, without premeditation; a motive coming from within - An impulsecaused by the forced ejection of hot gases drives a jet engine.
- The impulseof his push made her fall from the cliff.
- Around midnight, Barbara had a sudden impulseto eat a pistachio ice-
cream cone.
[impulsive adj., impulsively adv.] [Syn. thrust]
I: SAT Words 131