IMPACT


Meaning of IMPACT in English

I. im-ˈpakt 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-ˈpakt-fəl, ˈim-ˌpakt-fəl adjective

• im·pac·tive im-ˈpak-tiv adjective

• im·pac·tor also im·pact·er -tər noun

II. ˈim-ˌpakt noun

Date: 1781

1.

a. : an impinging or striking especially of one body against another

b. : a forceful contact or onset ; also : the impetus communicated in or as if in such a contact

2. : the force of impression of one thing on another : a significant or major effect

the impact of science on our society

an environmental impact study

Synonyms:

impact , collision , shock , concussion mean a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things. impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other

the glass shattered on impact with the floor

collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded

the collision damaged the vehicle

shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force

the shock of falling rocks

concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow

bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.