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Webster 1913 Edition

Stimulate

Stim′u-late

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Stimulated
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Stimulating
.]
[L.
stimulatus
, p. p. of
stimulare
to prick or goad on, to incite, fr.
stimulus
a goad. See
Stimulus
.]
1.
To excite as if with a goad; to excite, rouse, or animate, to action or more vigorous exertion by some pungent motive or by persuasion;
as, to
stimulate
one by the hope of reward, or by the prospect of glory
.
To excite and
stimulate
us thereunto.
Dr. J. Scott.
2.
(Physiol.)
To excite; to irritate; especially, to excite the activity of (a nerve or an irritable muscle), as by electricity.
Syn. – To animate; incite; encourage; impel; urge; instigate; irritate; exasperate; incense.

Webster 1828 Edition

Stimulate

STIMULATE

,
Verb.
T.
[L., to prick, to goad, to excite; a goad.] Literally, to prick or goad. Hence,
1.
To excite, rouse or animate to action or more vigorous exertion by some pungent motive or by persuasion; as, to stimulate one by the hope of reward, or by the prospect of glory.
2.
In medicine, to excite or increase the action of the moving fibers or organs of an animal body; as, to stimulate a torpid limb; or to stimulate the stomach and bowels.

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