impulsive
English edit
Etymology edit
Borrowed from Middle French impulsif, from Latin impulsivus.
Pronunciation edit
Adjective edit
impulsive (comparative more impulsive, superlative most impulsive)
- Having the power of driving or impelling; giving an impulse; moving; impellent.
- 1718, Mat[thew] Prior, “Alma: Or, The Progress of the Mind”, in Poems on Several Occasions, London: […] Jacob Tonson […], and John Barber […], →OCLC:
- Poor men! poor papers! We and they / Do some impulsive force obey.
- Actuated by impulse or by transient feelings; inclined to make rapid decisions without due consideration.
- Synonyms: hasty, precipitant, rash
- 1847 November 1, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Evangeline, a Tale of Acadie, Boston, Mass.: William D. Ticknor & Company, →OCLC, (please specify either |part=I or II):
- my heart, impulsive and wayward
- (mechanics) Acting momentarily, or by impulse; not continuous – said of forces.
Derived terms edit
Related terms edit
Translations edit
having the power of driving or impelling; giving an impulse; moving; impellent
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actuated by impulse or by transient feelings
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(mechanics) acting momentarily, or by impulse; not continuous
highly reactive; inclined to make rapid decisions without due consideration
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References edit
- “impulsive”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
- “impulsive”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
Noun edit
impulsive (plural impulsives)
- That which impels or gives an impulse; an impelling agent.
- 1613, Henry Wotton, letter to Edmund Bacon:
- Notwithstanding all which Motives and impulsives , Sir Thomas Overbury refused to be sent abroad , with such terms
- One whose behaviour or personality is characterized by being impulsive.
French edit
Pronunciation edit
Audio (file)
Adjective edit
impulsive
German edit
Pronunciation edit
Audio (file)
Adjective edit
impulsive
- inflection of impulsiv:
Italian edit
Adjective edit
impulsive f pl
Latin edit
Adjective edit
impulsīve
Norwegian Bokmål edit
Adjective edit
impulsive
Norwegian Nynorsk edit
Adjective edit
impulsive