impulsion, n. meanings, etymology and more (2025)

First published 1899; not fully revised

Quotations

Factsheet

What does the noun impulsion mean?

There are six meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun impulsion, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

impulsion has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

physical sciences (Middle English) military (mid 1600s)

Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

How common is the noun impulsion?

About 0.3occurrences per million words in modern written English

See frequency

How is the noun impulsion pronounced?

British English

/ɪmˈpʌlʃən/

im-PUL-shuhn

See pronunciation

Where does the noun impulsion come from?

Earliest known use

Middle English

The earliest known use of the noun impulsion is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).

OED's earliest evidence for impulsion is from before 1475, in R. Higden's Polychronicon.

impulsion is a borrowing from French.

Etymons: French impulsion.

See etymology

Nearby entries

  1. impulsatile, adj.1859–
  2. impulse, n.1650–
  3. impulse, v.1611–
  4. impulse clock, n.1923–
  5. impulse coupling, n.1916–
  6. impulse dial, n.1931–
  7. impulse-reaction turbine, n.1929–
  8. impulse starter, n.1916–
  9. impulse tube, n.1877–
  10. impulse turbine, n.1880–
  11. impulsion, n.?a1475–
  12. a1575–
  13. impulsively, adv.1768–
  14. impulsiveness, n.1659–
  15. impulsivist, n.1895–
  16. impulsivity, n.1891–
  17. impulsor, n.1653–1700
  18. impulsory, adj.1659–
  19. impulverable, adj.a1691
  20. impunctate, adj.1819–
  21. impunction, n.1712

Browse more nearby entries

Etymology

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impulsion, n. meanings, etymology and more (2025)

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