Meaning of pulse in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /pəls/

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  1. Verb

    pulse

    Definitions

    1. expand and contract rhythmically

    Examples

    • « beat rhythmically »
    • « The baby's heart was pulsating again after the surgeon massaged it »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. produce or modulate (as electromagnetic waves) in the form of short bursts or pulses or cause an apparatus to produce pulses

    Examples

    • « pulse waves »
    • « a transmitter pulsed by an electronic tube »

    Derived terms

  3. 3. drive by or as if by pulsation

    Examples

    • « A soft breeze pulsed the air »

  4. Noun

    pulse

    Etymology

    late Middle English: from Latin pulsus‘beating’, from pellere‘to drive, beat’

    Definitions

    1. (electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)

    Examples

    • « the pulsations seemed to be coming from a star »

    Derived terms

  5. 2. the rhythmic contraction and expansion of the arteries with each beat of the heart

    Examples

    • « he could feel the beat of her heart »

    Derived terms

  6. 3. the rate at which the heart beats

    Examples

    • « usually measured to obtain a quick evaluation of a person's health »

    Derived terms

  7. 4. edible seeds of various pod-bearing plants (peas or beans or lentils etc.)

Famous quotes

  • « For the man sound of body and serene of mind there is no such thing as bad weather every day has its beauty, and storms which whip the blood do but make it pulse more vigorously. »
    George Gissing
  • « Best of all is it to preserve everything in a pure, still heart, and let there be for every pulse a thanksgiving, and for every breath a song. »
    Konrad von Gesner
  • « Americans don't pay much attention to environmental issues, because they aren't sexy. I mean, cleaning up coal plants and reining in outlaw frackers is hugely important work, but it doesn't get anybody's pulse racing. »
    Jeff Goodell
  • « As an audience member, those studio films are fun. I like an adventure tale, and I also like to go see something that has more of a social pulse. I like to keep learning and trying new things. And if the scripts are good, it doesn't really matter. »
    Michael Fassbender
  • « I am very lucky that I get to tell stories for a living. I love being able to grab people's attention, to keep them turning the pages, to make them stay awake all night. I want to stir the pulse, yes, but also to stir the heart. I hope 'The Woods' does that. »
    Harlan Coben

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