2. impulsus (inp-), ūs, m. [impello], a pushing or striking against.
- I. Lit., an outward pressure or shock, an impulse (class.; most freq. in abl. sing.): impulsu scutorum, Cic. Caecin. 15, 43: orbium, id. Rep. 6, 18: quae (natura) a primo impulsu moveatur, id. ib. 6, 25 fin.: is ardor non alieno impulsu, sed sua sponte movetur, id. N. D. 2, 12, 32: ventus, qui inferiora repentinis impulsibus quatit, App. de Mundo, p. 62.
- II. Trop., incitement, instigation, influence (class.): ubi duxere impulsu vostro, vostro impulsu easdem exigunt, Ter. Hec. 2, 1, 45; cf. ib. 4, 4, 65: ipsos non negare, ad haec bona Chrysogonum accessisse impulsu suo, Cic. Rosc. Am. 37, 107; id. Verr. 2, 2, 66, § 161: impulsu patrum, id. Rep. 2, 10: ne civitas eorum impulsu deficeret, Caes. B. G. 5, 25, 4: impulsu patrum, Cic. Rep. 6, 26: qui simili impulsu aliquid commiserint, id. Inv. 2, 5, 19: oratio pondere modo et impulsu proeliatur, Quint. 9, 1, 20: temeritatis subiti et vehementes impulsus, Val. Max. 9, 8.