The force or reason that makes something happen or move forward; momentum or motivation.
From Latin 'impetus' meaning assault or momentum, derived from 'impetere' meaning to attack or strike. The word has been used in English since the 1600s.
Impetus comes from the Latin word for 'attack'—so when you give something impetus, you're literally attacking a problem or situation with force, which is why the word carries a sense of powerful movement.
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