[im.pulse] vt im.pulsed ; im.puls.ing (1611): to give an impulse to
[2]im.pulse n [L impulsus, fr. impellere to impel] (1647) 1 a: inspiration, motivation b: a force so communicated as to produce motion suddenly c: incentive
2. a: the act of driving onward with sudden force: impulsion b: motion produced by such an impulsion: impetus c: a wave of excitation transmitted through tissues and esp. nerve fibers and muscles that results in physiological activity or inhibition 3 a: a sudden spontaneous inclination or incitement to some usu. unpremeditated action b: a propensity or natural tendency usu. other than rational
4. a: the product of the average value of a force and the time during which it acts: the change in momentum produced by the force b: pulse 4a syn see motive