Impelled: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Latin 'impellere', which means 'to drive or push against'.
• The prefix 'im-' means 'in' or 'into', while 'pellere' means 'to push'.
• It first appeared in English in the late 14th century, retaining its core meaning of driving force.

Psychology

• People often feel impelled to act due to internal motivations like desires or goals.
• Cognitive dissonance can create a feeling of being impelled when actions conflict with beliefs, pushing individuals to resolve the tension.
• The concept of impulse control in psychology involves recognizing when one feels impelled to act and making conscious choices instead.

Literature

• Many protagonists in classic literature are impelled by strong desires or moral dilemmas, driving the plot forward.
• In Shakespeare's plays, characters often feel impelled by love or ambition, leading to dramatic consequences.
• Modern novels frequently explore themes of personal growth through characters feeling impelled to change their lives.

Cultural Significance

• In many cultures, the feeling of being impelled to act can relate to societal expectations, such as family duties or traditions.
• Art movements often exhibit the impelling feelings of artists expressing dissent or passion, like the Expressionists.
• Social movements throughout history demonstrate how collective feelings of being impelled can lead to significant societal changes.

Education

• In motivational research, students who feel impelled to learn often show higher levels of engagement and success.
• Teachers can help create an environment where learners feel impelled by choice and autonomy instead of obligation.
• Educational theories suggest that intrinsic motivations are key to feeling impelled to pursue knowledge.

At position #13,721, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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• 13718 subterranean
• 13719 differentiating
• 13720 custodial
• 13721 impelled
• 13722 enzymatic
• 13723 senseless
• 13724 mislead
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