stimulate

[stim-yuh-leyt] /ˈstɪm yəˌleɪt/
verb (used with object), stimulated, stimulating.
1.
to rouse to action or effort, as by encouragement or pressure; spur on; incite:
to stimulate his interest in mathematics.
2.
Physiology, Medicine/Medical. to excite (a nerve, gland, etc.) to its functional activity.
3.
to invigorate (a person) by a food or beverage containing a stimulant, as coffee, tea, or alcoholic liquor.
verb (used without object), stimulated, stimulating.
4.
to act as a stimulus or stimulant.
Origin
1540-50; < Latin stimulātus (past participle of stimulāre to goad). See stimulus, -ate1
Related forms
stimulable, adjective
stimulability
[stim-yuh-luh-bil-i-tee] /ˌstɪm yə ləˈbɪl ɪ ti/ (Show IPA), noun
stimulatingly, adverb
stimulation, noun
stimulator, stimulater, noun
antistimulation, noun
hyperstimulation, noun
interstimulate, verb (used with object), interstimulated, interstimulating.
interstimulation, noun
nonstimulable, adjective
nonstimulating, adjective
nonstimulation, noun
overstimulate, verb, overstimulated, overstimulating.
overstimulation, noun
poststimulation, adjective
prestimulate, verb (used with object), prestimulated, prestimulating.
prestimulation, noun
restimulate, verb (used with object), restimulated, restimulating.
restimulation, noun
self-stimulated, adjective
self-stimulating, adjective
self-stimulation, noun
semistimulating, adjective
superstimulate, verb (used with object), superstimulated, superstimulating.
superstimulation, noun
unstimulable, adjective
unstimulated, adjective
unstimulating, adjective
unstimulatingly, adverb
Can be confused
activate, actuate, stimulate.
Synonyms
1. arouse, activate, excite. See animate.
Examples from the web for stimulation
  • It will give you the intellectual stimulation and challenge that you need.
  • These cells release serotonin into the limbic system in response to sensory-nerve stimulation.
  • The secretin stimulation test measures the ability of the pancreas to respond to a hormone called secretin.
  • There are lots of other places you could find the kind of intellectual stimulation you crave.
  • The upper economic strata dull the stimulation by drinking plenty of scotch whiskey, which also leads to inefficiency at work.
  • Sufferers have trouble concentrating on any task unless they receive constant feedback, stimulation and reward.
  • Every student can learn new ways to think and learn, given stimulation to do so.
  • While the stimulation is being applied to the visual cortex, some patients report seeing blobs of light in their field of vision.
  • The epidural stimulation and the pharmacology is changing the functional state of that circuitry.
  • Nerves propagate information electrically-hence the use of electrodes for deep-brain stimulation.
British Dictionary definitions for stimulation

stimulate

/ˈstɪmjʊˌleɪt/
verb
1.
(transitive; usually passive) to fill (a person) with ideas or enthusiasm: he was stimulated by the challenge
2.
(transitive) (physiol) to excite (a nerve, organ, etc) with a stimulus
3.
to encourage (something) to start or progress further: a cut in interest rates should help stimulate economic recovery
Derived Forms
stimulable, adjective
stimulation, noun
stimulative, adjective, noun
stimulator, stimulater, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Latin stimulāre; see stimulant
Word Origin and History for stimulation
n.

1520s, "act of pricking or stirring to action," from Latin stimulationem (nominative stimulatio), from stimulare "prick, goad, urge," from stimulus "spur, goad," from PIE *sti- "point, prick, pierce" (see stick (v.)).

stimulate

v.

1610s, from Latin stimulatus, past participle of stimulare (see stimulation). Related: Stimulated; stimulating.

stimulation in Medicine

stimulate stim·u·late (stĭm'yə-lāt')
v. stim·u·lat·ed, stim·u·lat·ing, stim·u·lates
To arouse a body or a responsive structure to increased functional activity.

stim'u·lat'er n.

stimulation stim·u·la·tion (stĭm'yə-lā'shən)
n.

  1. Arousal of the body or of individual organs or other parts to increased functional activity.

  2. The condition of being stimulated.

  3. The application of a stimulus to a responsive structure, such as a nerve or muscle, regardless of whether the strength of the stimulus is sufficient to produce excitation.