Pronunciation: [ˈɪmpʌls] (IPA) 
The word "impulse" is spelled /ˈɪm.pʌls/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "im" is pronounced with the short "i" sound, as in "him." The second syllable "pulse" is pronounced with the short "u" sound, as in "pull." The final "e" is silent. The stress is on the first syllable, so it is pronounced as "IM-puls." This word is used to describe a sudden urge or feeling that prompts action or decision-making.
The term "impulse" refers to a sudden, strong urge or inclination to act in a certain way. It is often associated with a spontaneous, involuntary reaction prompted by an external or internal stimulus. In psychology, an impulse is considered as an unconscious or automatic response that may arise from a person's desires, emotions, or instincts.
In the realm of physics, an impulse is defined as the change in momentum of an object that occurs due to the force applied over a specific period of time. When a force acts upon an object, causing it to accelerate or decelerate, the impulse experienced by the object is equal to the force multiplied by the time duration during which it acted.
In everyday language, an impulse can refer to a fleeting thought or idea that urges someone to take immediate action. These impulses can vary in intensity and may stem from various sources such as intuition, curiosity, or personal motivation. For instance, one may feel an impulse to buy a particular item while shopping, impulsively indulge in impromptu plans, or even have impulsive behavior in making decisions without considering the consequences.
Impulses can be both positive and negative, as they can sometimes lead to impulsive actions that are irrational, reckless, or without proper forethought. Controlling and managing impulses is crucial in maintaining self-control and making well-informed decisions.
1. A sudden pushing or driving force. 2. A sudden, often unreasoning, determination to perform some act.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Force suddenly communicated; influence acting on the mind; the effect of some sudden motion.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "impulse" originated from the Latin word "impulsus", which is the past participle of the verb "impellere". "Impellere" is a compound word, formed by combining "im-" (meaning "against" or "towards") and "pellere" (meaning "to drive" or "to push"). Hence, the etymology of "impulse" suggests a driving force or a push against something.
