impulse impulse /ˌɪmˈpʌls/

noun

1. () An instinctive motive  ( urge , impulse )
   an instinctive motive
    Profound religious impulses
   profound religious impulses
   
2. () A sudden desire  ( caprice , whim , impulse )
   a sudden desire
    He bought it on an impulse
   he bought it on an impulse
   
3. () The electrical discharge that travels along a nerve fiber  ( nerve impulse , nervous impulse , neural impulse , impulse )
   the electrical discharge that travels along a nerve fiber
    They demonstrated the transmission of impulses from the cortex to the hypothalamus
   they demonstrated the transmission of impulses from the cortex to the hypothalamus
   
4. () The act of applying force suddenly  ( impetus , impulsion , impulse )
   the act of applying force suddenly
    The impulse knocked him over
   the impulse knocked him over
   
5. () (electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)  ( pulsing , impulse , pulsation , pulse )
   (electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)
    The pulsations seemed to be coming from a star
   the pulsations seemed to be coming from a star
   
6. An impelling force or strength  ( impulse , momentum )
   an impelling force or strength
    The car's momentum carried it off the road
   the car's momentum carried it off the road