Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Actuate
Ac′tu-ate
,Verb.
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.
Wings, which others were contriving to
actuate
by the perpetual motion. Johnson.
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.
2.
To carry out in practice; to perform.
[Obs.]
“To actuate what you command.” Jer. Taylor.
Syn. – To move; impel; incite; rouse; instigate; animate.
Ac′tu-ate
,Adj.
[LL.
actuatus
, p. p. of actuare
.] Put in action; actuated.
[Obs.]
South.
Webster 1828 Edition
Actuate
ACT'UATE
,Adj.
ACT'UATE
,Verb.
T.
To put into action; to move or incite to action; as, men are actuated by motives, or passions. It seems to have been used formerly in the sense of invigorate, noting increase of action; but the use is not legitimate.