1. n. & v.
--n.
1. a a rhythmical throbbing of the arteries as blood is propelled through them, esp. as felt in the wrists, temples, etc. b each successive beat of the arteries or heart.
2 a throb or thrill of life or emotion.
3 a latent feeling.
4 a single vibration of sound, electric current, light, etc., esp. as a signal.
5 a musical beat.
6 any regular or recurrent rhythm, e.g. of the stroke of oars.
--v.intr.
1. pulsate.
2 (foll. by out, in, etc.) transmit etc. by rhythmical beats.
Phrases and idioms:
pulse code coding information in pulses. pulse code modulation a pulse modulation technique of representing a signal by a sequence of binary codes. pulse modulation a type of modulation in which pulses are varied to represent a signal.
Derivatives:
pulseless adj.
Etymology: ME f. OF pous f. L pulsus f. pellere puls- drive, beat 2. n. (as sing. or pl.)
1. the edible seeds of various leguminous plants, e.g. chick-peas, lentils, beans, etc.
2 the plant or plants producing this.
Etymology: ME f. OF pols f. L puls pultis porridge of meal etc.