Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

pulse1

Syllabification: (pulse)
Pronunciation: /pəls/
Translate pulse | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of pulse

noun

  • 1a rhythmical throbbing of the arteries as blood is propelled through them, typically as felt in the wrists or neck:the doctor found a faint pulse the idea was enough to set my pulse racing
  • (usually pulses) each successive throb of the arteries or heart.
  • 2a single vibration or short burst of sound, electric current, light, or other wave:radio pulses [as modifier]:a pulse generator
  • a musical beat or other regular rhythm.
  • 3the central point of energy and organization in an area or activity:those close to the financial and economic pulse maintain that there have been fundamental changes
  • 4 Biochemistry a measured amount of an isotopic label given to a culture of cells.

verb

[no object]
  • throb rhythmically; pulsate:a knot of muscles at the side of his jaw pulsed
  • [with object] modulate (a wave or beam) so that it becomes a series of pulses.
  • [with object] apply a pulsed signal to (a device).
  • Biochemistryshort for pulse-label.

Phrases

take (or feel) the pulse of

determine the heart rate of (someone) by feeling and timing the pulsation of an artery:a nurse came in and took his pulse
ascertain the general mood or opinion of:he hopped around the country to visit stores and take the pulse of consumers

Derivatives

pulseless

adjective

pulser

noun

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin pulsus 'beating', from pellere 'to drive, beat'

pulse in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of pulse in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

  |  Cite

More words in this category

Word of the day

offing

/ ˈôfiNG /
noun
the more distant part of the sea in view …