appulse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely Rare / ObscureHighly Technical / Scientific (Astronomy), Literary / Archaic
Quick answer
What does “appulse” mean?
The striking or coming together of one body with another.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The striking or coming together of one body with another; close approach or collision, especially of celestial bodies.
Any forceful contact or impact; a technical term for the closest approach of a celestial body to another without eclipse, or a sudden, sharp convergence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in usage. The word is equally obscure in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in astronomy; archaic/literary elsewhere.
Frequency
Virtually never used in general language. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British astronomical literature due to historical texts, but this is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “appulse” in a Sentence
the appulse of [Celestial Body A] to [Celestial Body B]an appulse between [Body A] and [Body B]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “appulse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- None. The verb 'appulse' is obsolete and not in use.
American English
- None. The verb 'appulse' is obsolete and not in use.
adverb
British English
- None.
American English
- None.
adjective
British English
- None. The related adjective is 'appulsive', meaning 'tending to impel' (archaic).
American English
- None. The related adjective is 'appulsive', meaning 'tending to impel' (archaic).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used almost exclusively in astronomy papers and textbooks to describe specific non-eclipsing alignments.
Everyday
Not used. Would be considered highly obscure or mistaken for a typo of 'impulse'.
Technical
Core term in positional astronomy for the moment of closest apparent approach between two celestial objects as seen from Earth.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “appulse”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “appulse”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “appulse”
- Misspelling as 'appulse' (double 'p').
- Confusing with 'impulse'.
- Using it in non-technical contexts where 'collision', 'impact', or 'approach' is appropriate.
- Incorrect pronunciation: /ˈæpʌls/ (stress on first syllable). Correct is schwa-second syllable: /əˈpʌls/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare and specialised. Outside of technical astronomy, it is considered archaic.
In astronomy, an appulse specifically refers to the moment of closest apparent approach between two objects. A conjunction is a broader term for when two objects share the same right ascension or ecliptic longitude. An appulse is often a conjunction, but emphasises the minimal separation.
Historically, yes. Its core meaning includes striking together. However, in modern technical usage (astronomy), it typically means a very close approach without actual impact.
It is pronounced /əˈpʌls/ (uh-PULS), with the stress on the second syllable, similar to 'repulse'.
The striking or coming together of one body with another.
Appulse is usually highly technical / scientific (astronomy), literary / archaic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an APPULSE as an APPULSION (like repulsion or propulsion) where two things are pushed or pulled together into close contact.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONNECTION/IMPACT IS PHYSICAL CONTACT (e.g., 'His words made an appulse on her conscience' – archaic).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the word 'appulse' most precisely and currently used?