/ ˈstɪmjuleɪt; NAmE / verb
1.
[ vn ] to make sth develop or become more active; to encourage sth :
The exhibition has stimulated interest in her work.
The article can be used to stimulate discussion among students.
2.
to make sb interested and excited about sth :
[ vn ]
Parents should give children books that stimulate them.
Both men and women are stimulated by erotic photos (= sexually) .
[ vn to inf ]
The conference stimulated him to study the subject in more depth.
3.
[ vn ] ( technical ) to make a part of the body function :
The women were given fertility drugs to stimulate the ovaries.
► stimu·la·tion / ˌstɪmjuˈleɪʃn; NAmE / noun [ U ]:
sensory / intellectual / sexual / visual / physical stimulation
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (in the sense sting, afflict ): from Latin stimulat- urged, goaded, from the verb stimulare .