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pulse

pulse

226 5.6
A short sudden change in an electrical signal used to carry information
  • noun
  • /pʌls/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pulso
  • The device emits a brief electrical pulse every second to synchronize the data transmission.
  • pulse width
  • pulse duration
  • pulse amplitude

The arcs from this Tesla coil are created in pulses of resonance frequency.

Examples

  • We're looking for that next clock pulse where it goes from low to high.

  • An important advantage of using short pulses is the ability to probe reaction dynamics.

    Academic text (2012)
  • And this will make getting the pulse strength and length correct.

  • You might just be able to make out a high pitched pulse at that frequency.

  • In the time it takes to emit one more pulse, that is the time period.

  • We use ultra fast laser pulses to process material surface.

  • All of these examples deal with pulse disturbances, mostly high flows and excessive ice formation.

    Academic text (2013)
  • What if we could use these electromagnetic pulses as beacons?

  • There was an energy pulse detected on our energy-pulse detector.

  • An annual assessment of foot pulses in diabetes is a QOF requirement and also good clinical practice.

    Academic text (2012)

Synonyms

impulse
vspulse
  • Specialized
99 7.7

A very short burst of electrical energy in a circuit

focuses on brief signal changes often used periodically rather than energy surges
pulsing
vspulse
  • Specialized
8 7.2

A short repeated electrical signal in a circuit

is a brief sudden change seen as one short signal rather than ongoing waves
pulsation
vspulse
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A short sudden change in an electrical signal

is mainly a single brief change often repeated periodically in signals
pulsebeat
vspulse
  • Specialized
5.1

A regular electronic signal that controls timing in machines

is a brief sudden change that may occur irregularly or periodically

Compounds

8 2.8

Number of times the heart beats in one minute

radial pulse
  • Specialized
2 4.2

The beat felt at the wrist to check heart rate

femoral pulse
  • Specialized
2 6.0

A beat you can feel in the groin that shows blood flow to the leg

pulse oximeter
  • Specialized
2 4.4

A small device that clips to a finger or earlobe to measure blood oxygen

The busy, lively feeling you get from a city's streets and people

pulse generator
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A device that makes short electric signals to test or measure circuits

pulse modulation
  • Specialized
7.2

A way of changing a series of pulses, for example their length or strength, to send information

A steady beat in music you can feel in your body or emotions

pulse timing circuit
  • Specialized
8.3

An electronic part that makes or controls short electrical signals at exact times

pulse counter
  • Specialized
4.2

A device that counts small electric signals from machines

pulse height analyzer
  • Specialized
8.2

A device that lets only electrical pulses above a set level pass

pulse-time modulation
  • Specialized
9.9

A way of sending information by changing the time between short signals

9.9

A climbing plant grown for its edible seeds and animal feed in dry areas

8.5

A device that tests concrete by sending and measuring very high sound pulses

A tool that sends sound waves through concrete to check its strength without breaking it

How Strong

surge
132 4.2
pulse
  • Specialized
226 5.6
burst
62 2.2
spike
66 3.5
blip
35 5.3

Surface Forms

pulse singular
pulses plural

Etymology

The word pulse comes from the Latin verb pulsare meaning 'to beat', and in electronics it refers to a short 'burst' of electricity like a tiny heartbeat of a circuit.