pulse
UK[pʌls]US[pʌls]
n
The regular beating of the heart as it pumps blood, especially felt at the wrist or neck.
n
A single vibration or short burst of sound, light, or energy.
v
To move or flow with a strong, regular rhythm.
Etymology
The word 'pulse' originates from the Latin 'pulsus', meaning "a beating, a stroke, a push," which is the past participle of 'pellere', "to beat, to strike, to drive." This Latin verb can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root pel-, meaning "to thrust, strike, drive," a root that also gave rise to words like 'appeal', 'compel', and 'pulsate'. The semantic journey from the physical act of beating or striking to the modern medical and scientific senses is direct: the heart's action is perceived as a rhythmic beating against the arteries. Over time, the concept was abstracted to describe any similar regular rhythm or brief burst, such as a pulse of light or electrical current.
Analysis
The word 'pulse' is a simplex word derived from Latin. It does not contain separable, meaningful morphemes in its modern English spelling.
Examples
The doctor checked the patient's pulse at the wrist.
The machine emits a regular pulse of light to measure distance.
Music pulsed from the speakers, filling the dance floor with energy.