Ingrain
/ɪnˈɡreɪn/noun
To firmly establish or embed a quality or idea in someone or something.
Did you know?The word 'ingrain' comes from a term that originally referred to dyeing wool, symbolizing how deeply thoughts and traits can be rooted in us like color in fabric.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
ingrānis
“to make into a grain or to embed deeply”
Old French
Old French
engrener
“to set in grain or to instill”
14th Century
Middle English
ingrainen
“to implant or fix firmly”
Modern English
English
ingrain
“to firmly establish or deeply embed a quality or idea”