Stimulate \Stim"u*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stimulated; p. pr. & vb. n. Stimulating.]

[L. stimulatus, p. p. of stimulare to prick or goad on, to incite, fr. stimulus a goad. See Stimulus.]

1. To excite as if with a goad; to excite, rouse, or animate, to action or more vigorous exertion by some pungent motive or by persuasion; as, to stimulate one by the hope of reward, or by the prospect of glory.

To excite and stimulate us thereunto. --Dr. J. Scott.

2. (Physiol.) To excite; to irritate; especially, to excite the activity of (a nerve or an irritable muscle), as by electricity.

Syn: To animate; incite; encourage; impel; urge; instigate; irritate; exasperate; incense.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)