actuate
Collocations
2ADJ.
perpetual
VERB + ACTUATE
contriving
Definitions
verb
To activate, or to put into motion; to animate.
Wings, which others were contriving to actuate by the perpetual motion.
I walk always with my right hand closed round the india-rubber ball which I have in my trouser pocket. The pressing of this ball actuates a detonator inside the flask I carry in my pocket. It's the principle of the pneumatic instantaneous shutter for a camera lens.
To incite to action; to motivate.
1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral, 2. ed., London, Oxford University Press, 1973. § 11. A man in a fit of anger, is actuated in a very different manner from one who only thinks of that emotion.
Men of the greatest abilities are most fired with ambition; and, on the contrary, mean and narrow minds are the least actuated by it.
Thesaurus
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
3Wings, which others were contriving to actuate by the perpetual motion.
WiktionaryI walk always with my right hand closed round the india-rubber ball which I have in my trouser pocket. The pressing of this ball actuates a detonator inside the flask I carry in my pocket. It's the pr
Wiktionary1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral, 2. ed., London, Oxford University Press, 1973. § 11. A man in a fit of anger, is actuated in a ve
Wiktionary