Definition of the word impregnate

The word "impregnate" has a fascinating etymology. It originates from the Old French word "enpreignier," which is derived from "en" (in) and "preignier" (to conceive). This Old French word was used to describe the act of becoming pregnant. The English word "impregnate" was first used in the 14th century to describe the fertilization of a female gamete (egg) by a male gamete (sperm). Initially, the term was used in a literal sense, referring to the conception of a child. Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to include figurative uses, such as the idea of one thing being thoroughly infused or influenced by another. Today, "impregnate" is often used in technical contexts, such as biology, chemistry, and engineering, to describe the process of adding a substance or material to another, often to create a new compound or product.