impact

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im·pact • n. / ˈimˌpakt/ the action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another: there was the sound of a third impact | bullets that expand and cause devastating injury on impact. ∎  the effect or influence of one person, thing, or action, on another: our regional measures have had a significant impact on unemployment.• v. / imˈpakt/ 1. [intr.] come into forcible contact with another object: the shell impacted twenty yards away. ∎  [tr.] come into forcible contact with: an asteroid impacted the earth some 60 million years ago. ∎  have a strong effect: high interest rates have impacted on retail spending| [tr.] the move is not expected to impact the company's employees. 2. [tr.] press firmly: the animals' feet do not impact and damage the soil as cows' hooves do.

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