imposition

The definition of an imposition is the act forcing someone or something on another, or a burden that is put on someone.

(noun)

  1. When you show up at someone else's home unannounced and demand that he or she make you breakfast and clean your clothing, this is an example of an imposition.
  2. When the government puts a new tax on you that takes a large percentage of your income, this is an example of an imposition.

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See imposition in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. an imposing or imposing on; specif.,
    1. the forcing of oneself, one's presence or will, etc. on another or others without right or invitation; obtrusion
    2. a taking advantage of friendship, etc.
    3. the laying on of hands, as in ordaining
  2. something imposed; specif.,
    1. a tax, fine, etc.
    2. an unjust burden or requirement
    3. a deception; fraud
  3. the arrangement of type pages or plates in the proper order of printing

Origin: OFr < L impositio, a laying upon, application

See imposition in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. The act of imposing or the condition of being imposed.
  2. Something imposed, such as a tax, an undue burden, or a fraud.
  3. A burdensome or unfair demand, as upon someone's time: listened to the telemarketer but resented the imposition.
  4. Printing The arrangement of printed matter to form a sequence of pages.

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