Category:Stimulate

Stim"u*late, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stimulated; p. pr. & vb. n. Stimulating.] Etym: [l. stimulatus, p.p. of stimulare to prick or Goad on, to incite, fr. stimulus a goad. See stimulus.]

1. To excite as if with a goad; to excite, rouse, or animate, to Action or more vigorous exertion by some pungent motive or by Persuasion; as, to stimulate one by the hope of reward, or by the Prospect of glory. To excite and stimulate us thereunto. Dr. J. Scott.

2. (physiol.)

Defn: to excite; to irritate; especially, to excite the activity of (a nerve or an irritable muscle), as by electricity.

Syn. -- to animate; incite; encourage; impel; urge; instigate; irritate; Exasperate; incense.