IMPOUND


Meaning of IMPOUND in English

I. ə̇mˈpau̇nd transitive verb

( -ed/-ing/-s )

Etymology: in- (II) + pound (enclosure)

1.

a. : to shut up in or as if in a pound : confine , enclose

to catch and impound stray dogs

explosive release of the breath which had been impounded in the mouth cavity — A.L.Kroeber

b. : to seize and hold in the custody of the law

impound stray cattle

impound the files of a court

all slave ships that put into Bahama ports were impounded and their cargoes freed — Marjory S. Douglas

c. : to take possession of : appropriate

2. : to collect (water) for irrigation, hydroelectric use, flood control, or similar purpose : confine and store (water) in an impound

II. ˈimˌp- noun

: a reservoir for impounding

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.