Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IM-PEL', v.t. [Sp. impeler; It. impellere; L. impello; in and pello, to drive.]

To drive or urge forward; to press on; to excite to action or to move forward, by the application of physical force, or moral suasion or necessity. A ball is impelled by the force of powder; a ship is impelled by wind; a man may be impelled by hunger or a regard to his safety; motives of policy or of safety impel nations to confederate. The surge impelled me on a craggy coast. Pope. And several men impel to several ends. Pope.