Stimulate
/ˈstɪmjʊleɪt/noun
To encourage activity, growth, or increased action.
Did you know?It comes from Latin stimulus, a pointed prod used to drive animals, and the same root also gave English the idea of a sharp mental or physical “stimulus.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*steig-
“to pierce, prick, or stick”
Latin
Latin
stimulus
“a goad, prick, or spur used to drive animals”
Late Latin
Latin
stimulāre
“to goad, urge on, incite”
16th Century
English
stimulate
“to excite to action or activity”
Modern English
English
stimulate
“to encourage activity, growth, or increased action”