impetus

Từ điển American Heritage Dictionary 4th

im·pe·tus (ĭmʹpĭ-təs)n. pl. im·pe·tus·es
1. An impelling force; an impulse.
2. The force or energy associated with a moving body.
3.
a. Something that incites; a stimulus.
b. Increased activity in response to a stimulus:
The approaching deadline gave impetus to the investigation. [Middle English impetous, from Latin impetus, from impetere, to attack : in-, against; see in-² + petere, to go towards, seek; See pet- in Indo-European Roots.]

• Từ đồng nghĩa / Synonyms:
  impulse, impulsion, drift