Actuate \Ac"tu*ate\, v. 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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)