Word a Day
impetus
What does impetus mean?
impetus (noun): a stimulating factor.
Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
How do you pronounce impetus?
/ˈɪmpətəs/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.
Where does impetus come from?
Borrowed from Latin impetus (“a rushing upon, an attack, assault, onset”), from impetō (“to rush upon, attack”), from in- (“upon”) + petō (“to seek, fall upon”).
Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Test yourself: do you know “impetus”?
Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.
What does “impetus” mean?
any joyous diversion
Not quite: that's what festivity means.
a stimulating factor
Right! That's what “impetus” means.
an opponent or enemy
Not quite: that's what antagonist means.
a slow romantic song
Not quite: that's what ballad means.
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