impelled
UK[ɪmˈpɛld]US[ɪmˈpɛld]
v
drove, forced, or urged someone to do something
v
caused something to move or be driven forward
Morpheme Breakdown
im
pel
led
im
in, into
pel
drive
led
past tense suffix
Etymology
the word 'impelled' originates from the latin verb 'impellere', a combination of the prefix 'in-' (meaning 'into, towards') and the verb 'pellere' (meaning 'to drive, to push'). this literal sense of 'driving something forward' entered middle english via old french. over time, the meaning broadened from physical propulsion to include the figurative sense of being driven or compelled by an internal force or external pressure. the '-ed' suffix is the standard english marker for the past tense and past participle, solidifying its grammatical function as a verb describing a completed action.
Analysis
Structure: im (in, into) + pel (drive) + led (past tense suffix)
im: latin origin, a prefix meaning 'in, into, on, upon'.
pel: latin origin, from the root 'pellere', meaning 'to drive, to push'.
led: old english origin, a suffix indicating the past tense and past participle form of a regular verb.
Examples
a strong sense of duty impelled her to speak out against the injustice.
the rushing water impelled the wheel, generating power for the mill.
he felt impelled by curiosity to open the mysterious old chest.