impulse

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the act of applying force suddenly

   The impulse knocked them over.

2. 2
   noun

   the electrical discharge that travels along a nerve fiber

   they demonstrated the transmission of impulses from the cortex to the hypothalamus

3. 3
   noun

   a sudden desire

   They bought it on an impulse.

4. 4
   noun

   an instinctive motive

   profound religious impulses

5. 5
   noun

   A thrust; a push; a sudden force that impels.

   c. 1715-1716, Samuel Clarke, letter to Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz All spontaneous animal motion is performed by mechanical impulse.

6. 6
   noun

   A wish or urge, particularly a sudden one prompting action.

   The impulse to learn drove me to study night and day.

7. 7
   noun

   The integral of force over time.

   The total impulse from the impact will depend on the kinetic energy of the projectile.

8. 8
   verb

   To impel; to incite.

   With that force so impulsed and prest they are carried under the deepe Ocean.

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French impulser, from Latin impulsus.