impetus

American  

[im-pi-tuhs] / ˈɪm pɪ təs /

noun

plural

impetuses

1. a moving force; impulse; stimulus.

   The grant for building the opera house gave impetus to the city's cultural life.

   Synonyms:

   boost, spur, stimulation

2. (broadly) the momentum of a moving body, especially with reference to the cause of motion.

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impetus British  

/ ˈɪmpɪtəs /

noun

1. an impelling movement or force; incentive or impulse; stimulus

2. physics the force that sets a body in motion or that tends to resist changes in a body's motion

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Etymology

Origin of impetus

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin: “an attack,” literally, “a rushing into,” perhaps by haplology from unattested impetitus (though the expected form would be unattested impetītus; appetite ), equivalent to impetī-, variant stem of impetere “to attack” ( im- im- ¹ + petere “to make for, assault”) + -tus suffix of verb action

Example Sentences

But when he discovers that the top-floor apartment he and his fiancée are moving into in Cambridge, Mass., is above the home of Silas Hale, he is given some much-needed impetus.

From The Wall Street Journal

Their impetus was to subvert the expectations of stories involving characters from their community.

From Los Angeles Times

Tolstoy takes on a broad subject—history and the impetus for change—but his narrative is specific and intimate.

From The Wall Street Journal

What’s more, auto makers aren’t going to have to spend as much money on plants and equipment with the impetus for EV capacity fading.

From Barron's

"The fact that it is something that South Africa owns and claims, in a way, gives it greater impetus," she told AFP.

From Barron's

Related Words

• catalyst
• impulse
• incentive
• momentum
• motivation
• stimulant