Impound
/ɪmˈpaʊnd/noun
To seize and hold something in custody, especially by legal authority.
Did you know?Impound comes from the same deep Latin root as words like ‘pound’ and ‘compel,’ all tied to the idea of driving or pressing something in, which is why the word feels so forceful and confining.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pel-
“to drive, strike, push”
Latin
Latin
pulsāre
“to beat, strike, drive”
Late Latin
Latin
impōnĕre
“to put in, place upon”
Old French
Old French
empondre
“to take into custody or enclose”
Middle English
English
impounden
“to enclose, confine, or seize for safekeeping”
Modern English
English
impound
“to seize and hold in custody, especially by legal authority”