appulse

[ uh-puhls ]

noun

1. energetic motion toward a point.
2. the act of striking against something.
3. Astronomy. the approach or occurrence of conjunction between two celestial bodies.

appulse

/ əˈpʌls /

noun

1. a very close approach of two celestial bodies so that they are in conjunction but no eclipse or occultation occurs

Derived Forms

• apˈpulsively, adverb
• apˈpulsive, adjective

Other Words From

• ap·pulsive adjective
• ap·pulsive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of appulse¹

1620–30; < Latin appulsus driven to, landed (past participle of appellere ), equivalent to ap- ap- ¹ + pul- (variant stem of pellere to drive, push) + -sus, variant of -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of appulse¹

C17: from Latin appulsus brought near, from appellere to drive towards, from pellere to drive

Example Sentences

Mars and Uranus will appear extremely close to each other in the night sky – this is known as an appulse.

From The Guardian

In all consonants there is an appulse of the organs.

From Project Gutenberg

A driving or striking against; an appulse.

From Project Gutenberg

The near approach of one heavenly body to another, or to the meridian; a coming into conjunction; as, the appulse of the moon to a star, or of a star to the meridian.

From Project Gutenberg

The appulse or near approach is but one of the methods by which the spiral nebul� may have come into existence.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• brunt
• shock