n.
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English puls, from Anglo-French, from Latin pulsus, literally, beating, from pellere to drive, push, beat ― more at FELT
Date: 14th century
1 a : the regular expansion of an artery caused by the ejection of blood into the arterial system by the contractions of the heart b : the palpable beat resulting from such pulse as detected in a superficial artery also : the number of individual beats in a specified time period (as one minute) <a resting pulse of 70>
2 a : underlying sentiment or opinion or an indication of it b : VITALITY
3 a : rhythmical beating, vibrating, or sounding b : BEAT , THROB
4 a : a transient variation of a quantity (as electric current or voltage) whose value is normally constant b (1) : an electromagnetic wave or modulation thereof of brief duration (2) : a brief disturbance of pressure in a medium especially : a sound wave or short train of sound waves
5 : a dose of a substance especially when applied over a short period of time < pulse s of intravenous methylprednisolone>