When you say 'imprimatur' are you speaking Latin?

'Imprimatur' is a word borrowed from Latin 'imprimatur'. The word entered the English language some time around 1640.

imprimatur [noun] [1640]

• a license to print or publish especially by Roman Catholic episcopal authority
• approval of a publication under circumstances of official censorship
• sanction
• imprint

Meaning: a license to print or publish especially by Roman Catholic episcopal authority; approval of a publication under circumstances of official censorship; sanction approval.

Etymology: New Latin; let it be printed; from imprimere to print; from Latin; to imprint; impress impress.

Topics: Religion:Faith.

Origin: From Latin to English.

note: Official approval or license to print or publish - particularly from the Roman Catholic Church. Figuratively a mark of approval. Etymology: 17th century (1640s) directly from Modern Latin - meaning let it be printed. Root: It is the third-person singular present subjunctive passive of the Latin imprimere (to impress/imprint/stamp/press upon).

See 'imprimatur' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Latin.

See more loan words from 1600s.