pulse

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
pulse1

▶noun

• 1 the rhythmical throbbing of the arteries as blood is propelled through them.

  ■ each successive throb of the arteries or heart.

• 2 a single vibration or short burst of sound, electric current, light, or other wave.

• 3 a musical beat or other regular rhythm.

• 4 the centre of activity in an area or field: those close to the financial and economic pulse.

• 5 Biochemistry a measured amount of an isotopic label given to a culture of cells.

▶verb

• 1 pulsate.

• 2 modulate (a wave or beam) so that it becomes a series of pulses.

• 3 apply a pulsed signal to (a device).

– derivatives
pulseless adjective.

– origin ME: from L. pulsus ‘beating’, from pellere ‘to drive, beat’.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
pulse2

▶noun the edible seeds of various leguminous plants, e.g. lentils.

■ a plant producing such seeds.

– origin ME: from OFr. pols, from L. puls ‘porridge of meal or pulse’; rel. to pollen.