impetus

From impetō (“to rush upon, attack”), from in- (“upon”) + petō (“to seek, fall upon”).

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈim.pe.tus/, [ˈɪmpɛt̪ʊs̠]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈim.pe.tus/, [ˈimpet̪us]

Noun

impetus m (genitive impetūs); fourth declension

1. an attack, an assault, a charge [ synonyms ▲][ quotations ▼]

   Synonyms: incursiō, aggressiō, impressiō, invāsiō, assultus, oppugnātiō, incursus, concursus, occursiō, petītiō, appetītus, ictus, vīs, procella

2. a rapid motion
3. impulse, vehemence, ardor, passion [ synonyms ▲]

   Synonyms: cupīdō, vehementia, libīdō, appetītus, appetītiō, ardor, avāritia, alacritās

4. a making for

Declension

Fourth-declension noun.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	impetus	impetūs
Genitive	impetūs	impetuum
Dative	impetuī	impetibus
Accusative	impetum	impetūs
Ablative	impetū	impetibus
Vocative	impetus	impetūs