Stir \Stir\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stirred; p. pr. & vb. n. Stirring.]

[OE. stiren, steren, sturen, AS. styrian; probably akin to D. storen to disturb, G. st["o]ren, OHG. st[=o]ren to scatter, destroy. [root]166.]

1. To change the place of in any manner; to move.

My foot I had never yet in five days been able to stir. --Sir W. Temple.

2. To disturb the relative position of the particles of, as of a liquid, by passing something through it; to agitate; as, to stir a pudding with a spoon.

My mind is troubled, like a fountain stirred. --Shak.

3. To bring into debate; to agitate; to moot.

Stir not questions of jurisdiction. --Bacon.

4. To incite to action; to arouse; to instigate; to prompt; to excite. ``To stir men to devotion.'' --Chaucer.

An Ate, stirring him to blood and strife. --Shak.

And for her sake some mutiny will stir. --Dryden.

Note: In all senses except the first, stir is often followed by up with an intensive effect; as, to stir up fire; to stir up sedition.

Syn: To move; incite; awaken; rouse; animate; stimulate; excite; provoke.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Stir \Stir\, v. i.

1. To move; to change one's position.

I had not power to stir or strive, But felt that I was still alive. --Byron.

2. To be in motion; to be active or bustling; to exert or busy one's self.

All are not fit with them to stir and toil. --Byron.

The friends of the unfortunate exile, far from resenting his unjust suspicions, were stirring anxiously in his behalf. --Merivale.

3. To become the object of notice; to be on foot.

They fancy they have a right to talk freely upon everything that stirs or appears. --I. Watts.

4. To rise, or be up, in the morning. [Colloq.]

--Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Stir \Stir\, n.

1. The act or result of stirring; agitation; tumult; bustle; noise or various movements.

Why all these words, this clamor, and this stir? --Denham.

Consider, after so much stir about genus and species, how few words we have yet settled definitions of. --Locke.

2. Public disturbance or commotion; tumultuous disorder; seditious uproar.

Being advertised of some stirs raised by his unnatural sons in England. --Sir J. Davies.

3. Agitation of thoughts; conflicting passions.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)