impart

Impart is a verb meaning to give, convey, or bestow information, knowledge, skill, or a quality to another person or to a group. As a transitive verb, it requires a recipient and is typically used with phrases such as impart knowledge to students or impart wisdom to seekers. The act implied is deliberate and purposeful, in contrast with merely disseminating or sharing data.

Etymology and usage history: The word derives from older English forms influenced by Old French, combining the sense of part or portion with the idea of giving to others. In modern English, impart retains a formal, sometimes literary, tone and is more likely to appear in educational, philosophical, or formal discourse.

Usage notes: Impart is commonly used in contexts where a teacher, mentor, or institution aims to transfer understanding or value. It is less common in casual speech about quick or incidental sharing. The standard construction is impart to, as in impart knowledge to the class, with the recipient following the preposition to. It can also take a direct object referring to a quality or information being transferred, as in impart essential details.

Examples: The lecturer imparted practical techniques to the apprentices. The brochure is designed to impart essential information to readers. The coach hopes to impart confidence as well as skill.

See also: impartation (rare noun form referring to the act of imparting), transmit, convey, communicate.