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Arbitrary vs Impulsive - What's the difference?

arbitrary | impulsive |

As adjectives the difference between arbitrary and impulsive

is that arbitrary is based on individual discretion or judgment; not based on any objective distinction, perhaps even made at random while impulsive is having the power of driving or impelling; giving an impulse; moving; impellent.

As nouns the difference between arbitrary and impulsive

is that arbitrary is anything arbitrary, such as an arithmetical value or a fee while impulsive is that which impels or gives an impulse; an impelling agent.

arbitrary

English

Adjective

(arbitrariness) (en adjective)
  • (usually, of a decision) Based on individual discretion or judgment; not based on any objective distinction, perhaps even made at random.
    • Benjamin Franklin's designation of "positive" and "negative" to different charges was arbitrary . In fact, electrons flow in the opposite direction to conventional current.
    The decision to use 18 years as the legal age of adulthood was arbitrary , as both age 17 and 19 were reasonable alternatives.
  • Determined by impulse rather than reason; heavy-handed.
    • "The Russian trials were Stalin's purges, with which he attempted to consolidate his power. Like most people in the West, I believed these show trials to be the arbitrary acts of a cruel dictator." ( Max Born, Letters to Einstein)
  • (mathematics) Any and all possible.
    • The equation is true for an arbitrary value of x.
  • Determined by independent arbiter.
    • To secure food safety, there should first be a national standard to arbitrarily state what is wholesome and what is not; second, the final buyer should know exactly what he is purchasing. ( The World's Work ...: a history of our time)

    Related terms

    * arbit * arbiter * arbitrable * arbitrage * arbitrarily * arbitrariness * arbitrary and capricious * arbitrate * arbitration * arbitrator

    Noun

    (arbitraries)
  • Anything arbitrary, such as an arithmetical value or a fee.

    • External links

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    impulsive

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Having the power of driving or impelling; giving an impulse; moving; impellent.
  • * Prior
    • Poor men! poor papers! We and they / Do some impulsive force obey.
  • Actuated by impulse or by transient feelings; inclined to make rapid decisions without due consideration.
  • * Longfellow
    • my heart, impulsive and wayward
  • (mechanics) Acting momentarily, or by impulse; not continuous – said of forces.

    • Related terms

    * impulse * impulsion * impulsively * impulsiveness * impulsor

    References

    * *

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • That which impels or gives an impulse; an impelling agent.
  • One whose behaviour or personality is characterized by being impulsive.
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