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impetus

 - 3 dictionary results

im⋅pe⋅tus

  [im-pi-tuhs]
–noun, plural -tus⋅es.
1. a moving force; impulse; stimulus: The grant for building the opera house gave impetus to the city's cultural life.
2. (broadly) the momentum of a moving body, esp. with reference to the cause of motion.
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Origin:
1650–60; < L: an attack, lit., a rushing into, perh. by haplology from *impetitus (though the expected form would be *impetītus; see appetite ), equiv. to impetī-, var. s. of impetere to attack (im- im- 1 + petere to make for, assault) + -tus suffix of v. action

Synonyms:
1. stimulation, spur, boost.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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im·pe·tus   (ĭm'pĭ-təs)   
n.   pl. im·pe·tus·es

  1. An impelling force; an impulse.

  2. The force or energy associated with a moving body.

    1. Something that incites; a stimulus.

    2. Increased activity in response to a stimulus: The approaching deadline gave impetus to the investigation.


[Middle English impetous, from Latin impetus, from impetere, to attack : in-, against; see in-2 + petere, to go towards, seek; see pet- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

impetus 
1641, from L. impetus "attack, assault, onset, impulse, violence, vigor, force, passion," related to impetere "to attack," from in- "into" + petere "aim for, rush at" (see petition).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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