Word Study
engrain
CIDE DICTIONARY
engrain, v. t. [Pref. en- + grain. Cf. Ingrain.].
- To dye in grain, or of a fast color. See Ingrain. [1913 Webster]"Leaves engrained in lusty green." [1913 Webster]
- To incorporate with the grain or texture of anything; to infuse deeply. See Ingrain. [1913 Webster]"The stain hath become engrained by time." [1913 Webster]
- To color in imitation of the grain of wood; to grain. See Grain,
v. t. , 1. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
engrain, v.tr.
1 implant (a habit, belief, or attitude) ineradicably in a person (see also INGRAINED).
2 cause (dye etc.) to sink deeply into a thing.
1 implant (a habit, belief, or attitude) ineradicably in a person (see also INGRAINED).
2 cause (dye etc.) to sink deeply into a thing.
Etymology
ME f. OF engrainer dye in grain (en graine): see GRAIN
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