Library / English Dictionary

IMPETUS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The act of applying force suddenly

Example:

the impulse knocked him over

Synonyms:

impetus; impulse; impulsion

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("impetus" is a kind of...):

drive; driving force; thrust (the act of applying force to propel something)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A force that moves something along

Synonyms:

drift; impetus; impulsion

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural phenomena

Hypernyms ("impetus" is a kind of...):

force ((physics) the influence that produces a change in a physical quantity)

Credits

 Context examples: 

The same house that Mars will light brilliantly has to do with health and fitness, and so Mars may give you the impetus to return to the gym for a head start on your fitness goal for 2020.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

You will see what impetus would be given to your efforts and mine by our physical and mental union in marriage: the only union that gives a character of permanent conformity to the destinies and designs of human beings; and, passing over all minor caprices—all trivial difficulties and delicacies of feeling—all scruple about the degree, kind, strength or tenderness of mere personal inclination—you will hasten to enter into that union at once.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)