IMPETUOUS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does impetuous mean? 

• IMPETUOUS (adjective)
  The adjective IMPETUOUS has 2 senses:

1. characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation

2. marked by violent force

  Familiarity information: IMPETUOUS used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• IMPETUOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation

Synonyms:

brainish; hotheaded; impetuous; impulsive; madcap; tearaway

Context example:

madcap escapades

Similar:

incautious (lacking in caution)

Domain usage:

archaicism; archaism (the use of an archaic expression)

Derivation:

impetuosity; impetuousness (rash impulsiveness)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Marked by violent force

Context example:

impetuous heaving waves

Similar:

forceful (characterized by or full of force or strength (often but not necessarily physical))

 Context examples 

She is impetuous—volcanic, I was about to say.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Ruined castles hanging on the precipices of piny mountains, the impetuous Arve, and cottages every here and there peeping forth from among the trees formed a scene of singular beauty.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

He was an impetuous man, quick in his decisions.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

When I did speak, it was only to express an impetuous wish that I had never been born, or never come to Thornfield.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

"No, you didn't, you knew perfectly well I never cared for anyone but Jo," Laurie said that in his old, impetuous tone, and turned his face away as he spoke.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

There was a thought yet nearer, a more prevailing, more impetuous concern.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Her narration was clear and simple; and though it could not be given without emotion, it was not accompanied by violent agitation, nor impetuous grief.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

The straw therefore stretched itself from one bank to the other, and the coal, who was of an impetuous disposition, tripped quite boldly on to the newly-built bridge.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

The conservatory doors were standing open, and Rosa Dartle was walking, bareheaded, with a quick, impetuous step, up and down a gravel walk on one side of the lawn.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Her pale face and impetuous manner made him start, and before he could recover himself to speak, she, in whose mind every idea was superseded by Lydia's situation, hastily exclaimed, I beg your pardon, but I must leave you.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)