impetus

1 a force that moves something along [syn: drift, impulsion]

2 the act of applying force suddenly; "the impulse knocked him over" [syn: impulse, impulsion]

English

Noun

1. Something that impels, a stimulating factor.

   The outbreak of World War II in 1939 gave a new impetus to receiver development.

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.

Latin

Noun

1. an attack

Inflection

Impetus may refer to:

• Impetus (album), a re-release of the EP Passive Restraints
• Impetus (mechanics), a concept very similar to momentum
• Impetus (middle ages), treatment on impetus and its originator Jean Buridan
• Theory of impetus, an auxiliary theory of Aristotelian dynamics

acceleration, activity, animation, ardor, brio, briskness, catalyst, clout, compulsion, drive, driving force, elan, encouragement, energy, enthusiasm, getaway, glow, goad, gusto, impellent, impelling force, impetuosity, impulse, impulsion, incentive, incitation, incitement, inspiration, irresistible force, joie de vivre, life, liveliness, lustiness, mettle, moment, momentum, motivation, motive power, perkiness, pertness, pickup, power, propulsion, push, quickening, robustness, speedup, spirit, spiritedness, spur, step-up, stimulant, stimulation, stimulus, thrust, vivacity, warmth, zest, zestfulness