| impulse | 1. The act of impelling, or driving onward with sudden force; impulsion; especially, force so communicated as to produced motion suddenly, or immediately. "All spontaneous animal motion is performed by mechanical impulse." (S. Clarke) 2. The effect of an impelling force; motion produced by a sudden or momentary force. 3. <mechanics> The action of a force during a very small interval of time; the effect of such action; as, the impulse of a sudden blow upon a hard elastic body. 4. A mental force which simply and directly urges to action; hasty inclination; sudden motive; momentary or transient influence of appetite or passion; propension; incitement; as, a man of good impulses; passion often gives a violent impulse to the will. "These were my natural impulses for the undertaking." (Dryden) Synonym: Force, incentive, influence, motive, feeling, incitement, instigation. Origin: L. Impulsus, fr. Impellere. See Impel. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| impulse control disorder | A class of mental disorder's characterised by an individual's failure to resist an impulse to perform some act harmful to himself or to others; includes pathological gambling, pedophilia, kleptomania, pyromania, trichotillomania, intermittent and isolated explosive disorder's. (05 Mar 2000) |
| impulse control disorders | Disorders whose essential features are the failure to resist an impulse, drive, or temptation to perform an act that is harmful to the individual or to others. Individuals experience an increased sense of tension prior to the act and pleasure, gratification or release of tension at the time of committing the act. (12 Dec 1998) |
| impulsion | An abnormal urge to perform a certain activity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| impulsive | 1. Having the power of driving or impelling; giving an impulse; moving; impellent. "Poor men! poor papers! We and they Do some impulsive force obey." (Prior) 2. Actuated by impulse or by transient feelings. "My heart, impulsive and wayward." (Longfellow) 3. <mechanics> Acting momentarily, or by impulse; not continuous; said of forces. Origin: Cf. F. Impulsif. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| impulsive behaviour | An act performed without delay, reflection, voluntary direction or obvious control in response to a stimulus. (12 Dec 1998) |