impetus

[im-pi-tuhs]

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.

impetus

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of impetus¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of impetus¹

C17: from Latin: attack, from impetere to assail, from _im- (in) + petere to make for, seek out

Related Words

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