actuate

views updated May 29 2018

ac·tu·ate / ˈakchoōˌāt/ • v. 1. [tr.] cause (a machine or device) to operate: the pendulum actuates an electrical switch.2. (usu. be actuated) cause (someone) to act in a particular way; motivate: the defendants were actuated by malice.DERIVATIVES: ac·tu·a·tion / ˌakchoōˈāshən/ n.ac·tu·a·tor / -ˈātər/ n.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

actuate

views updated Jun 08 2018

actuate XVI. f. pp. stem of medL. āctuāre, f. āctus ACT; see ATE3.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

actuate

All Sources -
Updated Aug 08 2016 About encyclopedia.com content Print Topic

You Might Also Like