Stim"u*late (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stimulated (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Stimulating.]
[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.) 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.
Hear it pronounced