v. & n.
v. (stirred, stirring) 1 tr. move a spoon or other implement round and round in (a liquid etc.) to mix the ingredients or constituents. 2 a tr. cause to move or be disturbed, esp. slightly (a breeze stirred the lake). b intr. be or begin to be in motion (not a creature was stirring). c refl. rouse (oneself), esp. from a lethargic state. 3 intr. rise from sleep (is still not stirring). 4 intr. (foll. by out of) leave; go out of (esp. one's house). 5 tr. arouse or inspire or excite (the emotions etc., or a person as regards these) (was stirred to anger; it stirred the imagination).
n. 1 an act of stirring (give it a good stir). 2 commotion or excitement; public attention (caused quite a stir). 3 the slightest movement (not a stir). not stir a finger make no effort to help. stir the blood inspire enthusiasm etc. stir in mix (an added ingredient) with a substance by stirring. stir one's stumps colloq. 1 begin to move. 2 become active. stir up 1 mix thoroughly by stirring. 2 incite (trouble etc.) (loved stirring things up). 3 stimulate, excite, arouse (stirred up their curiosity). stirless adj. stirrer n.
[ OE styrian f. Gmc ]