1. A coercion that moves something along, an impelling compulsion or an impulse to get something done: The discoveries by the biologist have given impetus to others to do further research.
2. The act of applying power suddenly or an increased activity in response to a stimulus: The series of auto accidents have become the impetus for developing better highways in the area.
3. The energy or motivation to accomplish or to undertake an objective: David's devotion and guidance have provided the primary impetus to complete the educational project.
4. In physics, an energy that causes the motion of an object to overcome resistance and to maintain its velocity: A force that starts a body to move, or which tends to resist changes in its speed or direction once it is moving, is the impetus for learning more about how physical movements can be controlled.
5. Etymology: from Latin impetus, "attack, assault, onset, impulse, violence, vigor, force, passion"; related to impetere, "to attack"; from in-, "into" + petere, "to aim for, to rush at". © ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.

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