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pulse 1 (p ls)n.1. The rhythmical throbbing of arteries produced by the regular contractions of the heart, especially as palpated at the wrist or in the neck. 2. a. A regular or rhythmical beating. b. A single beat or throb. 3. Physics a. A brief sudden change in a normally constant quantity: a pulse of current; a pulse of radiation. b. Any of a series of intermittent occurrences characterized by a brief sudden change in a quantity. 4. The perceptible emotions or sentiments of a group of people: "a man who had . . . his finger on the pulse of America" (Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr.) intr.v. pulsed, puls·ing, puls·es 1. To pulsate; beat: "The nation pulsed with music and proclamation, with rages and moral pretensions" (Lance Morrow). 2. Physics To undergo a series of intermittent occurrences characterized by brief, sudden changes in a quantity. Idiom: take the pulse of To judge the mood or views of (a political electorate, for example): The politician was able to take the pulse of the grass-roots voters.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin pulsus, from past participle of pellere, to beat; see pel-5 in Indo-European roots.] |
pulse 2 (p ls)n.1. The edible seeds of certain pod-bearing plants, such as peas and beans. 2. A plant yielding these seeds.
[Middle English pols, from Old French, from Latin puls, pottage of meal and pulse, probably ultimately from Greek poltos.] |
In naval mine warfare, a method of operating magnetic and acoustic sweeps in which the sweep is energized by current which varies or is intermittent in accordance with a predetermined schedule.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | pulsing - (electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients); "the pulsations seemed to be coming from a star"electronics - the branch of physics that deals with the emission and effects of electrons and with the use of electronic devices |
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