actuate
UK /ˈæktʃu.eɪt/ · US /ˈækt͡ʃu.eɪt/ verb
Forms actuates actuating actuated
- verb (transitive) To activate, or to put into motion; to animate.
- verb (transitive) To incite to action; to motivate.
Synonyms
get going set in motion set off trigger instigate provoke abet goose fuel light a fire under send sting bring about cheer draw drive encourage egg on engender evoke trip activate spark off spark trigger off touch off motivate propel move prompt
Etymology
From Medieval Latin āctuātus, perfect passive participle of āctuō (“actuate, implement”), from Latin āctus, perfect passive participle of agō (“do, act”).
Webster’s 1913
- verb To put into action or motion; to move or incite to action; to influence actively; to move as motives do; --more commonly used of persons.
- verb To carry out in practice; to perform. [Obs.] "To actuate what you command." Jer. Taylor.
- adjective Put in action; actuated. [Obs.] South.
Etymology [LL. actuatus, p. p. of actuare, fr. L. actus act.]
Etymology [LL. actuatus, p. p. of actuare.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “actuate”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details