impulse
Use Impulse in a sentence
pʌls noun
1.
the influence of a particular feeling, mental state, etc.: to act under a generous impulse; to strike out at someone from an angry impulse.
2.
sudden, involuntary inclination prompting to action: to be swayed by impulse.
3.
an instance of this.
4.
a psychic drive or instinctual urge.
6.
the effect of an impelling force; motion induced; impetus given.
7.
Physiology. a progressive wave of excitation over a nerve or muscle fiber, having either a stimulating or inhibitory effect.
8.
Mechanics. the product of the average force acting upon a body and the time during which it acts, equivalent to the change in the momentum of the body produced by such a force.
9.
Electricity. a single, usually sudden, flow of current in one direction.
adjective
10.
marked by or acting on impulse: an impulse buyer.
11.
bought or acquired on impulse: To reduce expenses, shun impulse items when shopping.
00:10
Impulse
is always a great word to know.
So is reaction. Does it mean:
| action in response to a stimulus of a system, a nerve or a muscle |
| a period of sleep during which most dreaming occurs as the eyes move under closed lids and the skeletal muscles are deeply relaxed |
Origin:
1640–50; < Latin impulsus pressure, impulse, equivalent to im- im-1 + pul- (variant stem of pellere to push) + -sus, variant of -tus suffix of v. action
1640–50; < Latin impulsus pressure, impulse, equivalent to im- im-1 + pul- (variant stem of pellere to push) + -sus, variant of -tus suffix of v. action
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To impulse
Collins
World English Dictionary
impulse (ˈɪmpʌls) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | an impelling force or motion; thrust; impetus |
| 2. | a sudden desire, whim, or inclination: I bought it on an impulse |
| 3. | an instinctive drive; urge |
| 4. | tendency; current; trend |
| 5. | physics |
| a. the product of the average magnitude of a force acting on a body and the time for which it acts | |
| b. the change in the momentum of a body as a result of a force acting upon it for a short period of time | |
| 6. | physiol See nerve impulse |
| 7. | electronics a less common word for pulse |
| 8. | on impulse spontaneously or impulsively |
| [C17: from Latin impulsus a pushing against, incitement, from impellere to strike against; see | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
impulse
early 15c., "an act of impelling, a thrust, push," from L. impulsus "a push against, pressure, shock," also "incitement, instigation," pp. of impellere (see impel). Meaning "stimulus in the mind arising from some state or feeling" first recorded 1640s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
impulse im·pulse (ĭm'pŭls')
n.
A sudden pushing or driving force.
A sudden wish or urge that prompts an unpremeditated act or feeling; an abrupt inclination.
The electrochemical transmission of a signal along a nerve fiber that produces an excitatory or inhibitory response at a target tissue.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
impulse (ĭm'pŭls') Pronunciation Key
|
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Avoid that impulse, and a solution occurs to you by afternoon.
My legs twitched involuntarily, the movement an outward manifestation of an impulse to flee.
It was never intended as homage to him, but really to that period of my life, which was really the first impulse of this movie.
It's a common impulse for conquerors to slip off and have a nap in the enemy's bed.
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
