impetus Hear it!

impetus definition

im·petus (im′pə təs)

noun pl. impetuses -·tuses

  1. the force with which a body moves against resistance, resulting from its mass and the velocity at which it is set in motion
  2. anything that stimulates activity; driving force or motive; incentive; impulse

Etymology: L < impetere, to rush upon < in-, in + petere, to rush at: see feather

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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