English Explanatory Dictionary

actuate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To activate, or to put into motion; to animate.
  2. To incite to action; to motivate.

Pronunciation

/ˈæktʃu.eɪt/ /ˈæktju.eɪt/ en-us-actuate.ogg /ˈækt͡ʃʉ.æɪt/ en-au-actuate.ogg

Word forms

actuate actuates actuating actuated

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂eǵ- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti Proto-Italic *agō Latin agō Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Italic *-tus Latin -tus Latin āctus Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin āctuō Medieval Latin āctuātusder. English actuate From Medieval Latin āctuātus, perfect passive participle of āctuō (“actuate, implement”), from Latin āctus, perfect passive participle of agō (“do, act”).

Synonyms

get going set in motion set off trigger instigate provoke abet actuate goose light a fire under send sting bring about cheer draw drive encourage egg on engender evoke excite foment goad grill ignite impel incite induce inflame invoke lash motive motivate move obligate oblige push promote prompt rouse spark off spur spur on stimulate stir stir up stoke tempt urge whet whip up

Related words

actualise actualize

Derived words

actuatable actuation actuator reactuate underactuate
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