imbue
UK: ɪmˈbjuː | US: ɪmˈbjuː
vt. to inspire or permeate with a feeling or quality
vt. to saturate or dye deeply (archaic/literary)
imbue = im<in/into> + bue<to soak>
- im (prefix): From Latin in-, meaning "in" or "into."
- bue (root): From Latin buere (rare, meaning "to soak" or "to moisten"), likely influenced by imbuere (to saturate).
Etymology Origin:
The word imbue traces back to Latin imbuere, which originally meant "to moisten" or "to stain," often used in the context of dyeing fabrics. Over time, it evolved metaphorically to describe the act of deeply instilling ideas, feelings, or qualities into someone or something—much like a dye permeates cloth. The prefix im- (into) reinforces the sense of thorough penetration, whether literal (soaking) or figurative (inspiring).
The teacher sought to imbue her students with a love for literature.
His travels imbued him with a profound appreciation for diverse cultures.
The artist imbued the painting with vibrant emotions.
Medieval manuscripts were often imbued with gold leaf.
The speech imbued the audience with a sense of hope.