Other forms: stimulated, stimulating, stimulates
To stimulate is to rouse something into activity or interest. Stimulate demand, stimulate the economy, stimulate discussion.
In economics it means public spending intended to raise activity, which is the central argument of every downturn. The Latin behind it is a goad used on cattle, which is a blunter image than the modern word suggests.
1verbstimulateTo rouse something into activity or interest.
“Bright, colourful toys help to stimulate a baby's curiosity.”
stimulate is a rousing.
Latin stimulare comes from stimulus, a goad used to drive cattle.
Latin
stimulatus
English, today
stimulate
Built from
Borrowed from Latin stimulatus. Latin stimulātus, perfect passive participle of stimulō (“to urge, goad on”) (see -ate), from Latin stimulus (“a sting or prick; a stimulus, goad”).
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA