1. 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).
Phrases and idioms:
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).
Derivatives:
stirless adj. stirrer n.
Etymology: OE styrian f. Gmc 2. n. sl. a prison (esp. in stir).
Phrases and idioms:
stir-crazy deranged from long imprisonment.
Etymology: 19th c.: orig. unkn.