[Fr.; f. empresser to urge, s’empresser to be eager.] Animated display of cordiality.
1749. Chesterf., Lett., No. 202 (1792), II. 262. You must do it … with alacrity and empressement.
1823. Byron, Juan, XI. xlii. Juan was received with much ‘empressement’ [rhymed with chessman].
1866. Howells, Venet. Life, v. 73. She acknowledges the compliment with life-like empressement.
