IMPOSITION, in ecclesiastical usage, the "laying on" of hands by a bishop at the services of confirmation and ordination as a sign of a spiritual gift or conferring special service (Lat. imponere, to place or lay upon). The word is also used of the levying of a burdensome or unfair tax or duty, and of a penalty; also a trick or deception. In the printing trade the term is used of the arrangement of pages of type in the "forme."