Ac"tu*ate (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Actuated (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Actuating (#).] [LL. actuatus, p. p. of actuare, fr. L. actus act.] 1. To put into action or motion; to move or incite to action; to influence actively; to move as motives do; -- more commonly used of persons.
Wings, which others were contriving to actuate by the perpetual motion.
Johnson.
Men of the greatest abilities are most fired with ambition; and, on the contrary, mean and narrow minds are the least actuated by it.
Addison.
2. To carry out in practice; to perform. [Obs.] "To actuate what you command."
Jer. Taylor.
Syn. -- To move; impel; incite; rouse; instigate; animate.
© Webster 1913.
Ac"tu*ate (#), a. [LL. actuatus, p. p. of actuare.] Put in action; actuated. [Obs.]
South.
© Webster 1913. | 
