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stimulate

Syllabification: (stim·u·late)
Pronunciation: /ˈstimyəˌlāt/

Translate stimulate | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of stimulate

verb

[with object]
  • raise levels of physiological or nervous activity in (the body or any biological system):the women are given fertility drugs to stimulate their ovaries
  • encourage interest or activity in (a person or animal):the reader could not fail to be stimulated by the ideas presented
  • encourage development of or increased activity in (a state or process):the courses stimulate a passion for learning tax changes designed to stimulate economic growth

Derivatives

stimulable

Pronunciation: /-ləbəl/

adjective

stimulation

Pronunciation: /ˌstimyəˈlāSHən/

noun

stimulative

Pronunciation: /-ˌlātiv, -lətiv/

adjective

stimulator

Pronunciation: /-ˌlātər/

noun

stimulatory

Pronunciation: /-ləˌtôrē/

adjective

Origin:

mid 16th century (in the sense 'sting, afflict'): from Latin stimulat- 'urged, goaded', from the verb stimulare

stimulate in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of stimulate in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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