The rhythmical throbbing of arteries produced by the regular contractions of the heart, especially as palpated at the wrist or in the neck.
A regular or rhythmical beating.
A single beat or throb.
Physics A brief sudden change in a normally constant quantity: a pulse of current; a pulse of radiation.
Physics Any of a series of intermittent occurrences characterized by a brief sudden change in a quantity.
The perceptible emotions or sentiments of a group of people: "a man who had . . . his finger on the pulse of America” ( Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr.)
To pulsate; beat: "The nation pulsed with music and proclamation, with rages and moral pretensions” ( Lance Morrow).
Physics To undergo a series of intermittent occurrences characterized by brief, sudden changes in a quantity.
take the pulse of To judge the mood or views of (a political electorate, for example): The politician was able to take the pulse of the grass-roots voters.
The edible seeds of certain pod-bearing plants, such as peas and beans.