Actuate
WordNet
verb
(1) Put in motion or move to act
"Trigger a reaction"
"Actuate the circuits"
(2) Give an incentive for action
"This moved me to sacrifice my career"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From medieval actuatus, perfect passive participle of actuare, from , perfect passive participle of .
Verb
- To activate, or to put into motion; to animate.
- To incite to action; to motivate.
- 1748. HUME, David Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. 2. ed. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. § 11.
- A man in a fit of anger, is actuated in a very different manner from one who only thinks of that emotion.
- 1748. HUME, David Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. 2. ed. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. § 11.