impetus

See also ímpetus

English

Etymology

From Latin impetus (a rushing upon, an attack, assault, onset), from impetere (to rush upon, attack), from in (upon) + petere (to seek, fall upon).

Noun

impetus (plural impetuses)

  1. Something that impels, a stimulating factor.
    The outbreak of World War II in 1939 gave a new impetus to receiver development.
    • 2011, Phil McNulty, Euro 2012: Montenegro 2-2 England [1]
      In a single moment Montenegro and their supporters were given fresh impetus and encouragement. Beciraj tested Hart with a low shot before teenager Phil Jones, on his England debut, suffered an anxious moment when Stevan Jovetic went down under his challenge, leaving the youngster clearly relieved to see referee Stark wave away Montenegro's appeals.
  2. A force, either internal or external, that impels; an impulse.
  3. The force or energy associated with a moving body; a stimulus.
  4. An activity in response to a stimulus.

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Latin

Etymology

From impeto (to rush upon, attack), from in (upon) + peto (to seek, fall upon).

Noun

impetus (genitive impetūs); m, fourth declension

  1. an attack

Inflection

Number Singular Plural
nominative impetus impetūs
genitive impetūs impetuum
dative impetuī impetibus
accusative impetum impetūs
ablative impetū impetibus
vocative impetus impetūs

Descendants

References

  • impetus in Charlton T. Lewis & Charles Short, A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1879
  • impetus in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
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Last modified on 19 May 2013, at 17:45