Actuate
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /ˈæktʃu.eɪt/, /ˈæktju.eɪt/
- US IPA: /ˈæktʃu.eɪt/
Origin
From Medieval Latin ÄctuÄtus, perfect passive participle of ÄctuÅ ("actuate, implement"), from Latin Äctus, perfect passive participle of agÅ ("do, act").
Full definition of actuate
Verb
- (transitive) To activate, or to put into motion; to animate.
- JohnsonWings, which others were contriving to actuate by the perpetual motion.
- (transitive) 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.
- AddisonMen of the greatest abilities are most fired with ambition; and, on the contrary, mean and narrow minds are the least actuated by it.