inculcate
UK: ˈɪnkʌlkeɪt | US: ˈɪnkʌlkeɪt
vt. to instill or teach an idea, habit, or skill persistently and repeatedly
vt. to impress something upon the mind through forceful repetition
The word "inculcate" originates from the Latin inculcare, meaning "to tread into" or "stamp in," derived from in- (into) + calcare (to tread, from calx "heel"). This vivid metaphor of stamping knowledge into the mind—like pressing a footprint into soil—reflects the word’s modern sense of repetitive teaching. The suffix -ate marks it as a verb in English. Over time, the physical act of treading evolved into the abstract idea of mental imprinting.
Teachers strive to inculcate critical thinking skills in their students.
Parents often inculcate values like honesty and respect from an early age.
The military training program inculcates discipline through rigorous routines.
She inculcated a love of literature in her children by reading to them daily.
Cultural traditions are inculcated through generations of practice.