[im.pet.u.ous] adj [ME, fr. MF impetueux, fr. LL impetuosus, fr. L impetus] (14c) 1: marked by impulsive vehemence or passion "an ~ temperament"
2: marked by force and violence of movement or action "an ~ wind" syn see precipitate -- im.pet.u.ous.ly adv -- im.pet.u.ous.ness n