ingrain Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb thoroughly work in
    grain.
    • His hands were grained with dirt
  2. verb produce or try to produce a vivid impression of
    impress; instill.
    • Mother tried to ingrain respect for our elders in us

WordNet

In"grain` adjective
Etymology
Pref. in- in + grain kermes. See Engrain, Grain.
Definitions
  1. Dyed with grain, or kermes. Obs.
  2. Dyed before manufacture, -- said of the material of a textile fabric; hence, in general, thoroughly inwrought; forming an essential part of the substance.
In"grain` noun
Definitions
  1. An ingrain fabric, as a carpet.
In"grain` transitive verb
Etymology
Written also engrain.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Ingrained ; present participle & verbal noun Ingraining
Definitions
  1. To dye with or in grain or kermes.
  2. To dye in the grain, or before manufacture.
  3. To work into the natural texture or into the mental or moral constitution of; to stain; to saturate; to imbue; to infix deeply.
    Our fields ingrained with blood. Daniel.
    Cruelty and jealousy seem to be ingrained in a man who has these vices at all. Helps.

Webster 1913