actuate

[ ak-choo-eyt ]
/ ˈæk tʃuˌeɪt /

verb (used with object), ac·tu·at·ed, ac·tu·at·ing.

to incite or move to action; impel; motivate: actuated by selfish motives.
to put into action; start a process; turn on: to actuate a machine.

Origin of actuate

1590–1600; < Medieval Latin āctuāt(us) reduced to action (past participle of āctuāre), equivalent to Latin āctu(s) (see act) + -ātus -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM actuate

ac·tu·a·tion, noun de·ac·tu·ate, verb (used with object), de·ac·tu·at·ed, de·ac·tu·at·ing. self-ac·tu·at·ing, adjective un·ac·tu·at·ed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH actuate

activate actuate stimulate

Words nearby actuate

actualization, actualize, actually, actuals, actuary, actuate, actuator, actus reus, acuate, acuff, acuity

Words related to actuated

activate, prompt, inspire, propel, move, influence, arouse, animate, quicken, incite, motivate, cause, instigate, excite, induce, rouse, spur, energize, drive, impel

Example sentences from the Web for actuated

British Dictionary definitions for actuated

actuate
/ (ˈæktʃʊˌeɪt) /

verb (tr)

to put into action or mechanical motion
to motivate or incite into action actuated by unworthy desires

Derived forms of actuate

actuation, noun actuator, noun

Word Origin for actuate

C16: from Medieval Latin actuātus, from actuāre to incite to action, from Latin āctus act