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actuate Definition

ac·tu·ate (ak′c̸ho̵̅o̅ āt′)

transitive verb -·at′ed, -·at′·ing

  1. to put into action or motion
  2. to cause to take action what motives actuated him?

Etymology: < ML actuatus, pp. of actuare < L actus: see act

actuate Related Forms
ac′·tua′·tion noun ac′·tua′·tor noun
actuate Usage Examples

Object

  • valve: When a note was pressed eight MIDI messages would be required to actuate the valves of one department.
  • attribute: The timing of linkbase arc traversal depends on the value of the actuate attribute on the arc.
  • switch: Connect the ohmmeter across the contacts of the switch and actuate the switch's arm several times while checking the meter reading.
  • device: The resulting dimensional change can be used to actuate micro-engineered devices.
  • mechanism: The action of the flanges depressing the bar, actuates a mechanism which prevents the points from being changed under the vehicle.
  • man: He was void of any of these feelings which actuate men to do good.