from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Impact \Im*pact"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Impacted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Impacting}.] [L. impactus, p. p. of impingere to push,
strike against. See {Impinge}.]
1. To drive close; to press firmly together: to wedge into a
place. --Woodward.
[1913 Webster]
2. To affect or influence, especially in a significant or
undesirable manner; as, budget cuts impacted the entire
research program; the fish populations were adversely
impacted by pollution.
[PJC]
3. To collide forcefully with; to strike.
[PJC]