Impulse Definition

ĭmpŭls

impulses

noun

impulses

An impelling force; sudden, driving force; push; thrust; impetus.

Webster's New World

The motion or effect caused by such a force.

Webster's New World

An impelling, or driving forward with sudden force.

Webster's New World

Incitement to action arising from a state of mind or some external stimulus.

Webster's New World

A sudden inclination to act, usually without premeditation.

An impulse purchase.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

adjective

Characterized by impulsiveness or acting on impulse.

An impulse shopper; impulse buying.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

verb

(obsolete) To impel; to incite.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Impulse

Singular:

impulse

Plural:

impulses

For spelling, as in pulse, the -e (on -lse) is so the end is pronounced /ls/, rather than /lz/ as in pulls, and does not change the vowel (‘u’). Compare else, false, convulse.

From Wiktionary
Latin impulsus from past participle of impellere to impel impel

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Middle French impulser, from Latin impulsus.

From Wiktionary