Dictionary
stim•u•late
Pronunciation: (stim'yu-lāt"), [key]
—v., -lat•ed, -lat•ing.
—
v.t.
1. to rouse to action or effort, as by encouragement or pressure; spur on; incite:
to stimulate his interest in mathematics.
2. Physiol., Med.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.
—
v.i.
to act as a stimulus or stimulant.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.