stimulate
UK: ˈstɪmjʊleɪt | US: ˈstɪmjəleɪt
vt. to encourage or incite action or development
vt. to excite a physiological or psychological response
vt. to invigorate or arouse interest
The word "stimulate" originates from the Latin stimulatus, the past participle of stimulare ("to goad, urge, or provoke"), derived from stimulus ("a pointed stick used to drive animals"). The root stimul- reflects the idea of prodding or inciting action, much like poking with a sharp object. Over time, it evolved metaphorically to describe any form of excitation, whether physical, mental, or emotional. The suffix -ate standardizes it as a verb in English.
The teacher used questions to stimulate critical thinking in her students.
Caffeine can temporarily stimulate the central nervous system.
Bright colors are known to stimulate creativity.
The government introduced tax cuts to stimulate economic growth.
His passionate speech stimulated the audience to take action.