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