Impulse \Im"pulse\, n. [L. impulsus, fr. impellere. See
Impel.]
1. The act of impelling, or driving onward with sudden force;
impulsion; especially, force so communicated as to
produced motion suddenly, or immediately.
All spontaneous animal motion is performed by
mechanical impulse. --S. Clarke.
2. The effect of an impelling force; motion produced by a
sudden or momentary force.
3. (Mech.) The action of a force during a very small interval
of time; the effect of such action; as, the impulse of a
sudden blow upon a hard elastic body.
4. A mental force which simply and directly urges to action;
hasty inclination; sudden motive; momentary or transient
influence of appetite or passion; propension; incitement;
as, a man of good impulses; passion often gives a violent
impulse to the will.
These were my natural impulses for the undertaking.
--Dryden.
Syn: Force; incentive; influence; motive; feeling;
incitement; instigation.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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