actuate

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb put in motion or move to act
  2. verb give an incentive for action

Etymology

From Medieval Latin āctuātus, perfect passive participle of āctuō (“actuate, implement”), from Latin āctus, perfect passive participle of agō (“do, act”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

trip, trigger, activate, set off, spark off, spark, trigger off, touch off

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