Imposition, n.
Etymology: [F., fr. L. impositio the application of a name to a thing. See Impone.]
1. The act of imposing, laying on, affixing, enjoining, inflicting, obtruding, and the like. "From imposition of strict laws." Milton. Made more solemn by the imposition of hands. Hammond.
2. That which is imposed, levied, or enjoined; charge; burden; injunction; tax.
3. (Eng. Univ.)
An extra exercise enjoined on students as a punishment. T. Warton.
6 more senses
4. An excessive, arbitrary, or unlawful exaction; hence, a trick or deception put on laid on others; cheating; fraud; delusion; imposture. Reputation is an idle and most false imposition. Shak.
5. (Eccl.)
The act of laying on the hands as a religious ceremoy, in ordination, confirmation, etc.
6. (Print.)
The act or process of imosing pages or columns of type. See Impose, v. t., 4.
Syn. -- Deceit; fraud; imposture. See Deception.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for imposition; he lists it under deception, fraud.
Where he writes about it:
A deceit or deception may be designed merely to gain some end of one's own, with no intent of harming another; an imposition, to take some small advantage of another, or simply to make another ridiculous. — from fraud