pulses

pulse ¹  (pls)

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.

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[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin pulsus, from past participle of pellere, to beat; see pel-⁵ in Indo-European roots.]

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pulse ²  (pls)

n.

1. The edible seeds of certain pod-bearing plants, such as peas and beans.

2. A plant yielding these seeds.

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[Middle English pols, from Old French, from Latin puls, pottage of meal and pulse, probably ultimately from Greek poltos.]

Translations

pulses [ˈpʌlsəz] npl (CULIN) → legumi mpl