imprinting

[ im-prin-ting ]
/ ɪmˈprɪn tɪŋ /

noun Animal Behavior, Psychology.

rapid learning that occurs during a brief receptive period, typically soon after birth or hatching, and establishes a long-lasting behavioral response to a specific individual or object, as attachment to parent, offspring, or site.

Origin of imprinting

1937; imprint + -ing1, translation of German Prägung, K. Lorenz's term

Definition for imprinting (2 of 2)

imprint
[ noun im-print; verb im-print ]
/ noun ˈɪm prɪnt; verb ɪmˈprɪnt /

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

to make an impression; have an effect.

Origin of imprint

1325–75; im-1 + print; replacing Middle English empreynten < Middle French empreinter, derivative of empreinte, feminine past participle of empreindre < Latin imprimere to impress1

OTHER WORDS FROM imprint

re·im·print, verb (used with object) un·im·print·ed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for imprinting

British Dictionary definitions for imprinting (1 of 2)

imprinting
/ (ɪmˈprɪntɪŋ) /

noun

the development through exceptionally fast learning in young animals of recognition of and attraction to members of their own species or to surrogates

British Dictionary definitions for imprinting (2 of 2)

imprint

noun (ˈɪmprɪnt)

a mark or impression produced by pressure, printing, or stamping
a characteristic mark or indication; stamp the imprint of great sadness on his face
the publisher's name and address, usually with the date of publication, in a book, pamphlet, etc
the printer's name and address on any printed matter

verb (ɪmˈprɪnt)

Derived forms of imprint

imprinter, noun

Medical definitions for imprinting

imprinting
[ ĭmprĭn′tĭng ]

n.

A learning process occurring early in the life of a social animal in which a specific behavior pattern is established through association with a parent or other role model.

Scientific definitions for imprinting

imprinting
[ ĭmprĭn′tĭng ]

A rapid learning process by which a newborn or very young animal establishes a behavior pattern of recognition and attraction towards other animals of its own kind, as well as to specific individuals of its species, such as its parents, or to a substitute for these. Ducklings, for example, will imprint upon and follow the first large moving object they observe. In nature, this is usually their mother, but they can be made to imprint upon other moving objects, such as a soccer ball.