im·pulse
n 1 : a wave of excitation transmitted through tissues and esp. nerve fibers and muscles that results in physiological activity or inhibition 2 a : a sudden spontaneous inclination or incitement to some usu. unpremeditated action <some uncontrollable … may have driven the defendant to the commission of the murderous act -B. N. Cardozo> b : a propensity or natural tendency usu. other than rational <the fundamental of self-expression -Havelock Ellis> .
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