- [uncountable, singular]
something that encourages a process or activity to develop more quickly 动力；推动；促进；刺激 The debate seems to have lost much of its initial impetus. 辩论会似乎没有开始时那么大的冲劲了。 - impetus to something/to do something
to give (a) new/fresh impetus to something 给某事物以新的推进力 The Prime Minister’s support will give (an) added impetus to the campaign against crime. 首相的支持将进一步推动打击犯罪的运动。 - impetus for something
His articles provided the main impetus for change. 他的那些文章是促进变革的主要推动力。
Extra ExamplesEach new rumour added fresh impetus to the smear campaign. 每有新的谣言传出，就会刺激新一轮的诽谤活动。 His disappointment in the World Championships provided the necessary impetus to give everything for this final race. 他在世界锦标赛上的失利反而给了他必要的动力，使他为了这次决赛全力以赴。 The movement is steadily gaining impetus. 这项运动得到稳步推动。 The riots lent impetus to attempts to improve conditions for prisoners. 骚乱推动当局作出努力改善囚犯服刑条件。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- great
- powerful
- …
- add
- give somebody/something
- lend something
- …
- come from something
- impetus behind somebody/something
- impetus for
- impetus towards/toward
- …
- [uncountable] (specialist)
the force or energy with which something moves 动量；动力；惯性 The slope added impetus to his speed. 斜坡令他跑得更快。
Word Originmid 17th cent.: from Latin, ‘assault, force’, from impetere ‘assail’, from in- ‘towards’ + petere ‘seek’.