stimulate

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. v. To rouse to activity or heightened action, as by spurring or goading; excite. See Synonyms at provoke.
2. v. To increase temporarily the activity of (a body organ or part).
3. v. To excite or invigorate (a person, for example) with a stimulant.
4. v. To act or serve as a stimulant or stimulus.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. To prick; goad; excite, rouse, or animate to action or more vigorous exertion by some effective motive or by persuasion; spur on; incite.
2. In physiology, to quicken temporarily some functional or trophic process in.
3. Specifically, to affect by the use of intoxicating drinks.
4. Synonyms To encourage, impel, urge, instigate, provoke, whet, foment, kindle, stir up.
5. To act as a stimulus.

Wiktionary

1. v. To encourage into action.
2. v. To arouse an organism to functional activity.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. v. To excite as if with a goad; to excite, rouse, or animate, to action or more vigorous exertion by some pungent motive or by persuasion.
2. v. To excite; to irritate; especially, to excite the activity of (a nerve or an irritable muscle), as by electricity.

WordNet 3.0

1. v. cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner
2. v. cause to occur rapidly
3. v. stir feelings in
4. v. act as a stimulant
5. v. cause to be alert and energetic
6. v. provide the needed stimulus for
7. v. stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of