The meaning of Impulse

noun

An electrical impulse in the brain.

Usage examples:

There were systematic changes in brainwaves with sleep

noun

A pattern of electrical activity in the brain

Usage examples:

Non-rapid eye movement is a deep, quiet sleep marked by large, slow brainwaves., researchers monito…

noun

A sudden clever idea

Usage examples:

Have a brainwave i couldn't see how i could get home from the station - then i had a brainwave., af…

noun

A sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behaviour.

Usage examples:

The caprices of the electorate

noun

(the quality of often having) a sudden and usually silly wish to have or do something, or a sudden and silly change of mind or behaviour

Usage examples:

The $300 million palace was built to satisfy the caprice of one man.

noun

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.

Usage examples:

Chlorine acts as a catalyst promoting the breakdown of ozone

noun

A condition, event, or person that is the cause of an important change

noun

Someone or something that causes a big change

Usage examples:

The catalyst behind sth the catalyst behind this welcome trend has been the mighty bill gates., cat…

noun

The imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium.

Usage examples:

Television is an effective means of communication

noun

The process by which messages or information is sent from one place or person to another, or the message itself

Usage examples:

[ u ] e-mail is an increasingly important means of business communication., [ u ] there was very li…

noun

The process of sharing information, especially when this increases understanding between people or groups

Usage examples:

We have been in communication with various agencies in regard to this matter., a form/means/method …

noun

The action or state of forcing or being forced to do something; constraint.

Usage examples:

The payment was made under compulsion

adjective

Belonging to the present time; happening or being used or done now.

Usage examples:

Keep abreast of current events

noun

A body of water or air moving in a definite direction, especially through a surrounding body of water or air in which there is less movement.

Usage examples:

Ocean currents

noun

A strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.

Usage examples:

He resisted public desires for choice in education

verb

Strongly wish for or want (something).

Usage examples:

He never achieved the status he so desired

noun

A strong feeling of wanting something, or something you want

Usage examples:

[ u ] he claims to have no desire for wealth., [ c ] she expressed a desire to speak with her attor…

verb

Operate and control the direction and speed of a motor vehicle.

Usage examples:

He got into his car and drove off

noun

(of a fact or feeling) compel (someone) to act in a particular way, especially one that is considered undesirable or inappropriate.

Usage examples:

He was driven by ambition

verb

To travel in a motor vehicle, esp. as the person who operates it

Usage examples:

[ t ] we drove 40 miles to visit my aunt., [ i ] she drove through pennsylvania to ohio., [ i ] she…

noun

The action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope.

Usage examples:

Thank you for all your support and encouragement

noun

Words or behaviour that give someone confidence to do something

Usage examples:

Children need lots of encouragement from their parents., i could never have achieved this without t…

adjective

Elaborate in structure or decoration.

Usage examples:

The furniture was very fancy

verb

Feel a desire or liking for.

Usage examples:

Do you fancy a drink?

noun

A superficial or transient feeling of liking or attraction.

Usage examples:

This was no passing fancy, but a feeling he would live by

noun

Something which acts as a stimulus or boost to an activity.

Usage examples:

The halving of car tax would provide a fillip to sales

verb

Propel (a small object) with a flick of the fingers.

Usage examples:

He filliped him over the nose

noun

Something that causes a sudden improvement

Usage examples:

The athletics win provided a much-needed fillip to/for national pride., the news gave the stock mar…

noun

The action of provoking unlawful behaviour or urging someone to behave unlawfully.

Usage examples:

This amounted to an incitement to commit murder

noun

The act of encouraging someone to do or feel something unpleasant or violent

Usage examples:

[ + to infinitive ] they were imprisoned for incitement to commit grievous bodily harm., there are …

noun

The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

Usage examples:

Helen had one of her flashes of inspiration

noun

An innate, typically fixed pattern of behaviour in animals in response to certain stimuli.

Usage examples:

The homing instinct

adjective

Imbued or filled with (a quality, especially a desirable one).

Usage examples:

These canvases are instinct with passion

noun

A natural ability that helps you decide what to do or how to act without thinking

Usage examples:

[ u ] he lacked the instinct for quick action., [ c ] his biggest asset may be his political instin…

noun

An uncomfortable sensation on the skin that causes a desire to scratch.

Usage examples:

But shortly after ben began eating his lunch, his child-care provider noticed he seemed to be tryin…

verb

Be the site of or cause an itch.

Usage examples:

The bite itched like crazy

verb

To have an uncomfortable feeling on the skin that makes you want to rub it with something hard

Usage examples:

My insect bites are itching., i have an itch on the back of my neck., [ + to infinitive ] he has an…

noun

A verbal, written, or recorded communication sent to or left for a recipient who cannot be contacted directly.

Usage examples:

If i'm not there leave a message on the answerphone

verb

Send a message to (someone), especially by email.

Usage examples:

I was messaged by a californian contact for some information

noun

A reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way.

Usage examples:

Escape can be a strong motivation for travel

noun

Willingness to do something, or something that causes such willingness

Usage examples:

[ c ] one motivation for reducing the staff was the need to cut costs., [ u ] you need a lot of mot…

noun

Enthusiasm for doing something

Usage examples:

Many staff lack motivation and are resistant to change., a motivation for sth a major motivation fo…

verb

Require (something) because it is essential or very important rather than just desirable.

Usage examples:

I need help now

noun

Circumstances in which something is necessary; necessity.

Usage examples:

The basic human need for food

noun

A conception of or belief about something.

Usage examples:

Children have different notions about the roles of their parents

noun

A belief or idea

Usage examples:

Nast helped form the american notion of santa claus.

verb

Poke with a finger, foot, or pointed object.

Usage examples:

He prodded her in the ribs

noun

A poke with a finger, foot, or pointed object.

Usage examples:

He gave the wire netting an experimental prod

noun

(especially in ireland) a protestant.

noun

A rhythmical throbbing of the arteries as blood is propelled through them, typically as felt in the wrists or neck.

Usage examples:

The doctor found a faint pulse

verb

Throb rhythmically; pulsate.

Usage examples:

A knot of muscles at the side of his jaw pulsed

noun

The edible seed of a leguminous plant, for example a chickpea, lentil, or bean.

Usage examples:

Use pulses such as peas and lentils to eke out meat dishes

noun

A gesture, action, or sound that is used to convey information or instructions, typically by prearrangement between the parties concerned.

Usage examples:

The firing of the gun was the signal for a chain of beacons to be lit

verb

Convey information or instructions by means of a gesture, action, or sound.

Usage examples:

Hold your fire until i signal

adjective

Striking in extent, seriousness, or importance; outstanding.

Usage examples:

Their signal failure to achieve a satisfactory solution to the problem

noun

A device with a small spike or a spiked wheel that is worn on a rider's heel and used for urging a horse forward.

Usage examples:

Jacobs said he used the spurs to control the horse and that any force he used was to control the ho…

verb

Urge (a horse) forward by digging one's spurs into its sides.

Usage examples:

She spurred her horse towards the hedge

verb

To encourage an activity or development, or to cause something to develop faster

Usage examples:

The huge new factory spurred economic growth in the entire region., the team's win on saturday will…

noun

Encouragement of something to make it develop or become more active.

Usage examples:

The stimulation of a revolution in intelligence affairs

noun

An action or thing that causes someone or something to become more active or enthusiastic, or to develop or operate

Usage examples:

While she was at home looking after her children, she felt deprived of intellectual stimulation., e…

noun

A thing or event that evokes a specific functional reaction in an organ or tissue.

Usage examples:

Areas of the brain which respond to auditory stimuli

noun

Something that causes growth, activity, or reaction

Usage examples:

[ c ] scientists are studying the cell’s response to stimuli., [ u ] the aid package would provide …

noun

Something that encourages growth or causes activity

Usage examples:

A stimulus to sth we would support a further cut in interest rates as a stimulus to economic growth…

verb

Try earnestly or persistently to persuade (someone) to do something.

Usage examples:

He urged her to come and stay with us

noun

A strong desire or impulse.

Usage examples:

He felt the urge to giggle

verb

To encourage someone strongly to do something or to ask that something be done

Usage examples:

Party leaders urged her to run for congress., a human/natural urge, sometimes i get an urge to go s…

verb

Move one's hand to and fro in greeting or as a signal.

Usage examples:

He waved to me from the train

noun

A long body of water curling into an arched form and breaking on the shore.

Usage examples:

He was swept out to sea by a freak wave

verb

(physics) a movement up and down or back and forth

noun

A sudden desire or change of mind, especially one that is unusual or unexplained.

Usage examples:

She bought it on a whim