— activation , n.
/ak"teuh vayt'/ , v.t., activated, activating .
1. to make active; cause to function or act.
2. Physics.
a. to render more reactive; excite: to activate a molecule.
b. to induce radioactivity.
3. to aerate (sewage) in order to accelerate decomposition of impure organic matter by microorganisms.
4. Chem.
a. to make (carbon, a catalyst, molecules, etc.) more active.
b. to hasten (reactions) by various means, as heating.
5. to place (a military unit or station) on an active status in an assigned capacity.
[ 1620-30; ACTIVE + -ATE 1 ]
Syn. 1. actuate, start, turn on, set going.
Ant. 1. stop, halt, check.