pulse

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

Origin of PULSE

Middle English puls, probably from Anglo-French puuiz gruel, from Latin pult-, puls, probably from Greek poltos

First Known Use: 13th century

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, trefoil

Rhymes with PULSE

dulse

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

3

a : rhythmical beating, vibrating, or sounding

b : beat, throb

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

pulsedpuls·ing

Definition of PULSE

intransitive verb

: to exhibit a pulse or pulsation : throb

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

Examples of PULSE

1. He could feel the blood pulsing through his veins.
2. Dance music pulsed from the speakers.
3. The city pulses with life.

First Known Use of PULSE

15th century

Related to PULSE

Synonyms

beat, palpitate, pit-a-pat, pitter-patter, pulsate, throb

Related Words

fluctuate, oscillate, vibrate; quiver, tremble

pulse

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Pressure wave in the arteries from contraction of the heart. It can be felt where arteries are near the skin's surface; it is usually read at the carotid artery in the neck or at the wrist. Its rate, strength, and rhythm and the contour of the wave provide valuable information but must be viewed in context (e.g., rapid pulse occurs with serious heart disease, simple fever, or vigorous exercise). The average adult pulse rate is 70–80 beats per minute; the rate decreases with age and is generally faster in women.