imposition

n. [ F., fr. L. impositio the application of a name to a thing. See Impone. ] 1. The act of imposing, laying on, affixing, enjoining, inflicting, obtruding, and the like. “From imposition of strict laws.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Made more solemn by the imposition of hands. Hammond. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is imposed, levied, or enjoined; charge; burden; injunction; tax. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Eng. Univ.) An extra exercise enjoined on students as a punishment. T. Warton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. An excessive, arbitrary, or unlawful exaction; hence, a trick or deception put on laid on others; cheating; fraud; delusion; imposture. [ 1913 Webster ]

Reputation is an idle and most false imposition. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Eccl.) The act of laying on the hands as a religious ceremoy, in ordination, confirmation, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Print.) The act or process of imosing pages or columns of type. See Impose, v. t., 4.

Syn. -- Deceit; fraud; imposture. See Deception. [ 1913 Webster ]