impulsĭo (inp-), ōnis, f. [impello], a pushing against.
I Lit., external pressure , influence : omnis coagmentatio corporis vel calore vel frigore vel aliqua impulsione vehementi labefactatur et frangitur, Cic. Univ. 5, 14.—
II Trop., incitement , instigation , impulse.
A In gen.: impulsio est, quae sine cogitatione per quandam affectionem animi facere aliquid hortatur, ut amor, iracundia, aegritudo, Cic. Inv. 2, 5, 17; cf. id. ib. § 19; 2, 6, 20.—
B In partic.: ad hilaritatem impulsio, pleasantry , an incitement to merriment , = Gr. χαριεντισμός, a figure of speech, Cic. de Or. 3, 53, 205; Quint. 9, 1, 31; 9, 2, 3.