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n. pl. im·pe·tus·es 1. An impelling force; an impulse. 2. The force or energy associated with a moving body. 3. a. Something that incites; a stimulus. b. Increased activity in response to a stimulus: The approaching deadline gave impetus to the investigation. [Middle English impetous, from Latin impetus, from impetere, to attack : in-, against; see IN-2 + petere, to go towards, seek; see pet- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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