Main Entry:

¹im·pact

Pronunciation:

\im-ˈpakt\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Latin impactus, past participle of impingere to push against — more at impinge

Date:

1601

transitive verb1 a: to fix firmly by or as if by packing or wedging b: to press together2 a: to have a direct effect or impact on : impinge on b: to strike forcefully ; also : to cause to strike forcefullyintransitive verb1: to have an impact —often used with on2: to impinge or make contact especially forcefully

— im·pact·ful \im-ˈpakt-fəl, ˈim-ˌpakt-fəl\ adjective

— im·pac·tive \im-ˈpak-tiv\ adjective

— im·pac·tor also im·pact·er \-tər\ noun