First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1pulse
noun \ˈpəls\
Definition of PULSE
: the edible seeds of various crops (as peas, beans, or lentils) of the legume family; also : a plant yielding pulse
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Origin of PULSE
Middle English puls, probably from Anglo-French puuiz gruel, from Latin pult-, puls, probably from Greek poltos
Rhymes with PULSE
2pulse
noun
Definition of PULSE
1
a : the regular expansion of an artery caused by the ejection of blood into the arterial system by the contractions of the heart b : the palpable beat resulting from such pulse as detected in a superficial artery; also : the number of individual beats in a specified time period (as one minute) <a resting pulse of 70>
2
a : underlying sentiment or opinion or an indication of it b : vitality
4
a : a transient variation of a quantity (as electric current or voltage) whose value is normally constant b (1) : an electromagnetic wave or modulation thereof of brief duration (2) : a brief disturbance of pressure in a medium; especially : a sound wave or short train of sound waves
5
: a dose of a substance especially when applied over a short period of time <pulses of intravenous methylprednisolone>
Origin of PULSE
Middle English puls, from Anglo-French, from Latin pulsus, literally, beating, from pellere to drive, push, beat — more at felt
First Known Use: 14th century
3pulse
verb
: to move with strong, regular beats
: to produce a strong, regular beat
: to be filled with activity or a feeling
pulsedpuls·ing
Full Definition of PULSE
intransitive verb
transitive verb
1
: to drive by or as if by a pulsation
2
: to cause to pulsate
3
a : to produce or modulate (as electromagnetic waves) in the form of pulses <pulsed waves> b : to cause (an apparatus) to produce pulses
— puls·er noun
See pulse defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PULSE
15th century
PULSED Defined for Kids
pulse
noun \ˈpəls\
Definition of PULSE for Kids
1
: a strong regular beating or throbbing <the rhythmic pulse of the music>
2
: the beat resulting from the regular widening of an artery in the body as blood flows through it <Feel your wrist for a pulse.>
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