Part 5648

<hw>Im"pulse</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>impulsus</ets>, fr. <ets>impellere</ets>. See <er>Impel</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>The act of impelling, or driving onward with sudden force; impulsion; especially, force so communicated as to produced motion suddenly, or immediately.</def>

<blockquote>All spontaneous animal motion is performed by mechanical <b>impulse</b>. <i>S. Clarke.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>The effect of an impelling force; motion produced by a sudden or momentary force.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Mech.)</fld> <def>The action of a force during a very small interval of time; the effect of such action; <as>as, the <ex>impulse</ex> of a sudden blow upon a hard elastic body</as>.</def>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>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>as, a man of good <ex>impulses</ex>; passion often gives a violent <ex>impulse</ex> to the will.</as></def>

<blockquote>These were my natural <b>impulses</b> for the undertaking. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- Force; incentive; influence; motive; feeling; incitement; instigation.</syn>

<h1>Impulse</h1> <Xpage=740>

<hw>Im*pulse"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <ety>[See <er>Impel</er>.]</ety> <def>To impel; to incite.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Pope.</i>

<h1>Impulsion</h1> <Xpage=740>

<hw>Im*pul"sion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>impulsio</ets>: cf. F. <ets>impulsion</ets>. See <er>Impel</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>The act of impelling or driving onward, or the state of being impelled; the sudden or momentary agency of a body in motion on another body; also, the impelling force, or impulse.</def> "The <i>impulsion</i> of the air."

<i>Bacon.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Influence acting unexpectedly or temporarily on the mind; sudden motive or influence; impulse.</def> "The <i>impulsion</i> of conscience." <i>Clarendon</i>. "Divine <i>impulsion</i> prompting."

<i>Milton.</i>

<h1>Impulsive</h1> <Xpage=740>

<hw>Im*pul"sive</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>impulsif</ets>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Having the power of driving or impelling; giving an impulse; moving; impellent.</def>

<blockquote>Poor men! poor papers! We and they Do some <b>impulsive</b> force obey. <i>Prior.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Actuated by impulse or by transient feelings.</def>

<blockquote>My heart, <b>impulsive</b> and wayward. <i>Longfellow.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Mech.)</fld> <def>Acting momentarily, or by impulse; not continuous; -- said of forces.</def>

<h1>Impulsive</h1> <Xpage=740>

<hw>Im*pul"sive</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>That which impels or gives an impulse; an impelling agent.</def>

<i>Sir W. Wotton.</i>

<h1>Impulsively</h1> <Xpage=740>