impulsus

Impulsus is a Latin noun meaning "impulse, push, or spur," derived from impellere, "to drive toward." In classical Latin it described a physical push or a sudden motive to act, and the word was used in philosophical and rhetorical contexts to denote incitement or motive.

In the history of science, impulsus appears in Latin translations of modern concepts. In physics, impulsus denotes the impulse—the integral of force over time—which equals the change in momentum of a body. The idea is central to understanding how forces affect motion, and Latin writers used impulsus to gloss "impulse" in treatises on mechanics. In physiology, impulsus is found in phrases such as impulsus nervorum, meaning the electrical or chemical signal that travels along nerves.

Etymology and forms: impulsus comes from impellere, the root behind English impel and impulse. In Latin texts, related forms such as impulsum (neuter) and the broader family of terms connected to driving or moving are encountered. In modern scholarly work, impulsus is most often encountered in discussions of historical or Latin-language descriptions of physical or biological processes, while English terminology prefers "impulse."

See also: impulse, momentum, nerve impulse.