noun. An impelling force; an impulse.

noun. The force or energy associated with a moving body.

noun. undefined

noun. Something that incites; a stimulus.

noun. Increased activity in response to a stimulus.

noun. Energy of motion; the power with which a moving body tends to maintain its velocity and overcome resistance: as, the impetus of a cannon-ball; hence, figuratively, impulse; impulsion; stimulus.

noun. In gunnery, the altitude due to the first force of projection, or the space through which a body must fall to acquire a velocity equal to that with which a ball is discharged from a piece.

noun. The sudden force of passion.

noun. A property possessed by a moving body in virtue of its weight and its motion; the force with which any body is driven or impelled; momentum.

noun. Fig.: Impulse; incentive; stimulus; vigor; force.

noun. The altitude through which a heavy body must fall to acquire a velocity equal to that with which a ball is discharged from a piece.

noun. Something that impels, a stimulating factor.

noun. A force, either internal or external, that impels; an impulse.

noun. The force or energy associated with a moving body; a stimulus.

noun. An activity in response to a stimulus.

noun. the act of applying force suddenly

noun. a force that moves something along

"While progress derived its main impetus from the sex-passion, and the highest emotions were those that held us together in the family relation, such education and such surroundings as fostered and intensified these emotions were naturally the best."

impetuous  

drive  driving force  force  thrust  

acceleration  attraction  breakthrough  compulsion  disadvantage  

acceleration  activity  animation  ardor  brio