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stimulus definition

stimu·lus (-ləs)

noun pl. stimuli -·u·li′ (-lī′)

  1. something that rouses or incites to action or increased action; incentive
  2. Physiol., Psychol. any action or agent that causes or changes an activity in an organism, organ, or part, as something that excites an end organ, starts a nerve impulse, activates a muscle, etc.

Etymology: L, a goad, sting, torment, pang, spur, incentive: see style

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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