impulsion

[im-puhl-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of impelling, driving onward, or pushing.

2. the resulting state or effect; impulse; impetus.

3. the inciting influence of some feeling or motive; mental impulse.

4. a constraining or inciting action exerted on the mind or conduct.

   divine impulsion.

impulsion

/ ɪmˈpʌlʃən /

noun

1. the act of impelling or the state of being impelled

2. motion produced by an impulse; propulsion

3. a driving force; compulsion

Other Word Forms

• self-impulsion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of impulsion¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin impulsiōn- (stem of impulsiō ) incitement. See impulse, -ion

Example Sentences

“The singer might change the harmonic impulsion or narrative function.”

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The impulsion outward disappears; they grow isolated and doctrinaire, more sectarian than evangelical.

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Unfortunately for this argument, throughout the history of the subcontinent, there has existed an impulsion for unity.

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Everything is judged according to sacred precepts—“harmony,” “impulsion,” “self-carriage,” “submission”—that have come down intact from the ancien régime.

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“Most able scientists I know have something for which ‘exploratory impulsion’ is not too grand a description … A strong sense of unease and dissatisfaction always goes with lack of comprehension.”

Read more on Nature

Related Words

• desire 
• feeling 
• inclination 
• influence 
• instinct 
• motivation 
• motive 
• notion 
• passion 
• thought 
• whim 
• wish