pulse

pulse

pulse¹ [puls]

n.

[ME pous < OFr < L pulsus ( venarum), beating (of the veins) < pulsus, pp. of pellere, to beat: see FELT¹]

1. the regular beating in the arteries, caused by the contractions of the heart

2. any beat, signal, vibration, etc. that is regular or rhythmical

3. the perceptible underlying feelings of the public or of a particular group

4. a variation, characterized by a rise, limited duration, and decline, of a quantity whose value normally is constant; specif.,

a) Elec. a brief surge of voltage or current

b) Radio a very short burst of electromagnetic waves

vi.

pulsed, pulsing

to pulsate; throb

vt.

1. to cause to pulsate

2. to drive (an engine, etc.) by pulses

3. Elec. to apply pulses to

4. Radio to modify (an electromagnetic wave) by means of pulses

pulser

n.

pulse² [puls]

n.

[ME pous < OFr pouls < L puls (gen. pultis), a pottage made of meal or pulse, prob. < Gr poltos < IE base * pel-, dust, meal > L pollen, pulvis]

1. the edible seeds of peas, beans, lentils, and similar plants having pods

2. any leguminous plant