actuate
verb
[ ˈaktʃʊeɪt ]
• cause (a machine or device) to operate.
• "the pendulum actuates an electrical switch"
Similar:
activate,
operate,
switch on,
turn on,
start up,
set going,
get going,
start off,
trigger off,
trigger,
trip,
set in motion,
initiate,
initialize,
energize,
animate,
• cause (someone) to act in a particular way; motivate.
• "the defendants were actuated by malice"
Similar:
motivate,
stimulate,
move,
drive,
rouse,
stir,
stir up,
fire,
fire up,
arouse,
prompt,
incite,
spark off,
influence,
impel,
spur on,
urge,
goad,
activate,
Origin:
late 16th century: from medieval Latin actuat- ‘carried out, caused to operate’, from the verb actuare, from Latin actus (see act). The original sense was ‘carry out in practice’, later ‘stir into activity, enliven’; actuate (sense 1) dates from the mid 17th century.
