Ac"tu*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Actuated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Actuating (?).] [LL. actuatus, p. p. of actuare, fr.
L. actus act.] 1. To put into action or motion;
to move or incite to action; to influence actively; to move as motives do;
-- more commonly used of persons.
Wings, which others were contriving to actuate by the
perpetual motion.
Johnson.
Men of the greatest abilities are most fired with ambition;
and, on the contrary, mean and narrow minds are the least actuated
by it.
Addison.
2. To carry out in practice; to perform.
[Obs.] "To actuate what you command." Jer. Taylor.
Syn. -- To move; impel; incite; rouse; instigate; animate.
Ac"tu*ate (?), a. [LL. actuatus, p.
p. of actuare.] Put in action; actuated. [Obs.]
South.