英文字典中文字典Word104.com

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Impulse \Im*pulse"\, v. t. [See {Impel}.]
To impel; to incite. [Obs.] --Pope.
[1913 Webster]


Impulse \Im"pulse\, n. [L. impulsus, fr. impellere. See
{Impel}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. The act of impelling, or driving onward with sudden force;
impulsion; especially, force so communicated as to
produced motion suddenly, or immediately.
[1913 Webster]

All spontaneous animal motion is performed by
mechanical impulse. --S. Clarke.
[1913 Webster]

2. The effect of an impelling force; motion produced by a
sudden or momentary force.
[1913 Webster]

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.
[1913 Webster]

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.
[1913 Webster]