Etymology Map
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Impulse

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a sudden strong urge

Where does the word "impulse" come from? It comes from Latin impulsus, adopted directly into English (1640s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
impulsus
Latin · ancient
"a push"
from 'impellere', to drive on
2
Stage 2 of 2
impulse
English · 1640s
"push"
'impulse buying' dates from the 1950s
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Read the full story

Impulse’s story begins in Latin: impulsus meant “a push.” From 'impellere', to drive on. It reached English by 1640s as impulse. 'impulse buying' dates from the 1950s. Today, impulse means a sudden strong urge.