impulsions

Noun

impulsion (countable and uncountable, plural impulsions)

1. The act of impelling or driving onward, or the state of being impelled; the sudden or momentary agency of a body in motion on another body; also, the impelling force, or impulse.
   • I wrought like a fiend, for I expected every moment to be swamped; and since I found I could not push the coracle directly off, I now shoved straight astern. At length I was clear of my dangerous neighbour, and just as I gave the last impulsion, my hands came across a light cord that was trailing...1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC
2. Influence acting unexpectedly or temporarily on the mind; sudden motive or influence; impulse.
   • Farther, Chrisostome upon this place saith, that Paule when he thus writeth, doth in no wise denie the nature of the flesh, but exalteth it to a more higher dignitie, namelie, that it should rather obaie the impulsion of the spirite, than lust.1581, Peter Martyr, edited by John Marbeck, A Booke of Notes and Common places, with their expostitions, collected and gathered out of the workes of divers singular Writers and brought Alphabetically...