n.
Pronunciation: im- ' pakt
Function: verb
Etymology: Latin impactus, past participle of impingere to push against ― more at IMPINGE
Date: 1601
transitive verb
1 a : to fix firmly by or as if by packing or wedging b : to press together
2 a : to have a direct effect or impact on : impinge on b : to strike forcefully also : to cause to strike forcefully
intransitive verb
1 : to have an impact ― often used with on
2 : to impinge or make contact especially forcefully
– im · pact · ful \ im- ' pakt-f ə l, ' im- ˌ pakt-f ə l \ adjective
– im · pac · tive \ im- ' pak-tiv \ adjective
– im · pac · tor also im · pact · er \ -t ə r \ noun