impresso

Impresso is a term used in Portuguese and Spanish with related meanings tied to printing. It derives from imprimir, which in turn comes from the Latin imprimere, meaning to press in or imprint. As an adjective, impresso describes objects produced by printing or that exist in a printed form, such as printed books or printed editions.

As a noun, impresso refers to a form or document that must be filled out or submitted. In Portuguese, common usage is preencher o impresso, while in Spanish, one says rellenar el impreso or presentar el impreso. In both languages, the noun emphasizes a tangible form or document rather than its digital counterpart.

In practical use, impresso appears mainly in bureaucratic, administrative, and publishing contexts. It contrasts with terms for the act of printing (impressão in Portuguese, impresión in Spanish) and with the device that prints (impressora).

Cross-language notes: both Portuguese and Spanish reuse the same root and similar meanings, though exact phrasing and common collocations can vary by country. In Italian, a parallel concept exists but uses stampato rather than impresso, so cross-language usage of impresso is less common there.

See also: imprimir, impressão, impressora, imprensa.