Impulse (?), n. [L. impulsus, fr. impellere. See Impel.]
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1. The act of impelling, or driving onward with sudden force; impulsion; especially, force so communicated as to produced motion suddenly, or immediately.
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All spontaneous animal motion is performed by mechanical impulse. S. Clarke.
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2. The effect of an impelling force; motion produced by a sudden or momentary force.
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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”.
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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; to buy something on impulse.”
[1913 Webster +PJC]
These were my natural impulses for the undertaking. Dryden.
Syn. -- Force; incentive; influence; motive; feeling; incitement; instigation.
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