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Definition of "impulsion" [im•pul•sion]

  • The act of impelling or the condition of being impelled: "I do not move . . . unless it be under the impulsion of a third party” ( Samuel Beckett). (noun)
  • An impelling force; a thrust. (noun)
  • Motion produced by an impelling force; momentum. (noun)
  • A wish or urge from within; an impulse. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "impulsion" in a sentence
  • "These are for ever crying out, “Why did he not employ the word impulsion, which is so well understood, rather than that of attraction, which is unintelligible?"
  • "Sir Isaac might have answered these critics thus: —“First, you have as imperfect an idea of the word impulsion as of that of attraction; and in case you cannot conceive how one body tends towards the centre of another body, neither can you conceive by what power one body can impel another."
  • "The ideal horse has "impulsion" -- it eagerly moves forward on its own without being repeatedly pushed by heels, spurs, or a whip."