appulse

[ uh-puhls ]

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.

appulse

/ əˈpʌls /

noun

1. a very close approach of two celestial bodies so that they are in conjunction but no eclipse or occultation occurs

Derived Forms

• apˈpulsive, adjective
• apˈpulsively, adverb

Other Words From

• ap·pulsive adjective
• ap·pulsive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of appulse¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of appulse¹

C17: from Latin appulsus brought near, from appellere to drive towards, from pellere to drive

Example Sentences

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

The next approximate appulse of the two bodies will occur in 1985, when the form of the comet's orbit may be sensibly modified.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• brunt
• shock