/ ˈɪmpɪtəs; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U , sing. ] impetus (for sth) | impetus (to sth / to do sth) something that encourages a process or activity to develop more quickly
SYN stimulus :
to give (a) new / fresh impetus to sth
The debate seems to have lost much of its initial impetus.
His articles provided the main impetus for change.
2.
[ U ] ( technical ) the force or energy with which sth moves
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from Latin , assault, force , from impetere assail, from in- towards + petere seek.