imprégner

to impregnate, saturate

verb ahm-preh-NYEH Rare

Also means

to instil (an idea)

Usage Note

Imprégner describes physically saturating a material with a substance (imprégner un tissu d'huile — to soak a cloth with oil) and figuratively embedding an influence deeply (imprégner quelqu'un de culture — to imbue someone with culture). The reflexive s'imprégner de means 'to steep oneself in' and is common in discussions of language learning and travel.

Examples

"L'odeur de café imprègne toute la maison."

Natural Translation

The smell of coffee permeates the whole house.

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