Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

appulse

[uh-puhls]
See more synonyms for appulse on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. energetic motion toward a point.
  2. the act of striking against something.
  3. Astronomy. the approach or occurrence of conjunction between two celestial bodies.
Show More

Origin of appulse

1620–30; < Latin appulsus driven to, landed (past participle of appellere), equivalent to ap- ap-1 + pul- (variant stem of pellere to drive, push) + -sus, variant of -tus past participle suffix
Related formsap·pul·sive, adjectiveap·pul·sive·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for appulse

Historical Examples

  • May not the effect be mechanical, the appulse of the air separating the flame from the wick.

    The Life of Sir Humphrey Davy, Bart. LL.D., Volume 2 (of 2)

    John Ayrton Paris

  • The appulse or near approach is but one of the methods by which the spiral nebul may have come into existence.

    Astronomy

    David Todd

  • Appulse, ap-puls′, n. a striking against: the approach of a planet to a conjunction with the sun or a star.

  • Every appulse of life against matter means an added push in the direction of spiritualization.

    The Mystery of Space

    Robert T. Browne

British Dictionary definitions for appulse

appulse

noun
  1. a very close approach of two celestial bodies so that they are in conjunction but no eclipse or occultation occurs
Show More
Derived Formsappulsive, adjectiveappulsively, adverb

Word Origin

C17: from Latin appulsus brought near, from appellere to drive towards, from pellere to drive
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012