Im"pulse (?), n. [L. impulsus,
fr. impellere. See Impel.]
1. The act of impelling, or driving onward
with sudden force; impulsion; especially, force so communicated as to
produced motion suddenly, or immediately.
All spontaneous animal motion is performed by
mechanical impulse.
S. Clarke.
2. The effect of an impelling force; motion
produced by a sudden or momentary force.
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.
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.
These were my natural impulses for the
undertaking.
Dryden.
Syn. -- Force; incentive; influence; motive; feeling;
incitement; instigation.
Im*pulse" (?), v. t. [See
Impel.] To impel; to incite. [Obs.]
Pope.