impulsive

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English

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French impulsif, from Latin impulsivus.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ɪmˈpʌlsɪv/
  • (file)

Adjective

impulsive (comparative more impulsive, superlative most impulsive)

  1. 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.
  2. Actuated by impulse or by transient feelings; inclined to make rapid decisions without due consideration.
    Synonyms: hasty, precipitant, rash
  3. (mechanics) Acting momentarily, or by impulse; not continuous – said of forces.

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

References

Noun

impulsive (plural impulsives)

  1. 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
  2. One whose behaviour or personality is characterized by being impulsive.

French

Pronunciation

Adjective

impulsive

  1. feminine singular of impulsif

German

Pronunciation

Adjective

impulsive

  1. inflection of impulsiv:
    1. strong/mixed nominative/accusative feminine singular
    2. strong nominative/accusative plural
    3. weak nominative all-gender singular
    4. weak accusative feminine/neuter singular

Italian

Adjective

impulsive f pl

  1. feminine plural of impulsivo

Latin

Adjective

impulsīve

  1. vocative masculine singular of impulsīvus

Norwegian Bokmål

Adjective

impulsive

  1. definite singular/plural of impulsiv

Norwegian Nynorsk

Adjective

impulsive

  1. definite singular/plural of impulsiv