from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Actuate \Ac"tu*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Actuated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Actuating}.] [LL. actuatus, p. p. of actuare, fr. L.
actus act.]
1. To put into action or motion; to move or incite to action;
to influence actively; to move as motives do; -- more
commonly used of persons.
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Wings, which others were contriving to actuate by
the perpetual motion. --Johnson.
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Men of the greatest abilities are most fired with
ambition; and, on the contrary, mean and narrow
minds are the least actuated by it. --Addison.
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2. To carry out in practice; to perform. [Obs.] "To actuate
what you command." --Jer. Taylor.
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Syn: To move; impel; incite; rouse; instigate; animate.
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