Impositio

Impositio is a Latin noun meaning the act of placing upon or imposing, derived from the verb imponere. In general usage, the term denotes the act of laying or putting something onto a person or thing, often conveying a sense of burden, obligation, or ceremonial gesture.

In religious contexts, impositio manuum refers specifically to the laying on of hands, a ritual gesture used in Christian liturgy for ordination, confirmation, blessings, and the conferral of a grace or authority by a bishop or priest. The phrase highlights the perceived transmission of spiritual power or blessing through physical contact.

In legal and administrative contexts, impositio has appeared in medieval and early modern Latin to denote the imposition or levy of taxes, tolls, rents, or duties by rulers or ecclesiastical authorities. This usage aligns with the broader sense of placing a burden or obligation upon subjects or communities.

Modern usage and linguistic context: The English noun imposition, which derives from Latin impositio, covers the act of imposing a burden, tax, rule, or obligation, as well as the process of placing something in a particular position (for example, printers’ imposition in publishing). Cognate forms appear in Romance languages, such as Italian imposizione and Spanish imposición, retaining similar meanings. The term remains chiefly historical or technical in Latin contexts and in discussions of liturgy and law.