im·pulse  ( ĭm p ŭls ′)
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n.1. a. An impelling force; an impetus. b. The motion produced by such a force. 2. A sudden wish or urge that prompts an unpremeditated act or feeling; an abrupt inclination: had an impulse to run away; an impulse of regret that made me hesitate; bought a hat on impulse. 3. A motivating force or tendency: "Respect for the liberty of others is not a natural impulse in most men" (Bertrand Russell). 4. Electronics A surge of electrical power in one direction. 5. Physics The product obtained by multiplying the average value of a force by the time during which it acts. The impulse equals the change in momentum produced by the force in this time interval. 6. Physiology The electrochemical transmission of a signal along a nerve fiber that produces an excitatory or inhibitory response at a target tissue, such as a muscle or another nerve. adj. Characterized by impulsiveness or acting on impulse: an impulse shopper; impulse buying.
[Latin impulsus, from past participle of impellere, to impel; see IMPEL.] |
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