Impetus Definition
ĭmpĭ-təs
impetuses
noun
impetuses
Anything that stimulates activity; driving force or motive; incentive; impulse.
Webster's New World
The force with which a body moves against resistance, resulting from its mass and the velocity at which it is set in motion.
Webster's New World
Something that incites; a stimulus.
American Heritage
Increased activity in response to a stimulus.
The approaching deadline gave impetus to the investigation.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Other Word Forms of Impetus
Noun
Singular:
impetusPlural:
impetusesOrigin of Impetus
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Middle English impetous from Latin impetus from impetere to attack in- against in–2 petere to go towards, seek pet- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Latin impetus (“a rushing upon, an attack, assault, onset”), from impetere (“to rush upon, attack”), from in (“upon”) + petere (“to seek, fall upon”).
From Wiktionary
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