/stim"yeuh leuhnt/ , n.
1. Physiol. , Med. something that temporarily quickens some vital process or the functional activity of some organ or part: Adrenalin is a stimulant for the heart.
2. any food or beverage that stimulates, esp. coffee, tea, or, in its initial effect, alcoholic liquor.
3. a stimulus or incentive.
adj.
4. Physiol. , Med. temporarily quickening some vital process or functional activity.
5. stimulating. Cf. depressant .
[ 1720-30; stimulant- (s. of stimulans, prp. of stimulare to goad). See STIMULUS, -ANT ]