stim·u·late /-ˌlet/
 (vt.)刺激,激勵,鼓舞(vi.)起刺激作用


 stim·u·late /-ˌlet/ 及物動詞
 刺激,興奮,激發功能活動


 Stim·u·late v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stimulated p. pr. & vb. n. Stimulating.]
 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.

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 stimulate
      v 1: act as a stimulant; "The book stimulated her imagination";
           "This play stimulates" [syn: excite] [ant: stifle]
      2: cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner; "The ads
         induced me to buy a VCR"; "My children finally got me to
         buy a computer"; "My wife made me buy a new sofa" [syn: induce,
          cause, have, get, make]
      3: stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of; "These stories
         shook the community"; "the civil war shook the country"
         [syn: shake, shake up, excite, stir]
      4: cause to be alert and energetic; "Coffee and tea stimulate
         me"; "This herbal infusion doesn't stimulate" [syn: arouse,
          brace, energize, energise, perk up] [ant: de-energize,
          de-energize, sedate]
      5: cause to occur rapidly; "the infection precipitated a high
         fever and allergic reactions" [syn: induce, rush, hasten]
      6: stir feelings in; "stimulate my appetite"; "excite the
         audience"; "stir emotions" [syn: excite, stir]
      7: provide the needed stimulus for [syn: provoke]