actuate definition - Dictionaries

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actuate [ ákchoo ayt ] (3rd person present singular actuates, present participle actuating, past and past participle actuated)

transitive verb

Definition:

1. make act: to make somebody act or behave in a specific way ( often used in the passive )

was actuated by self-interest

2. make work: to make a device move or start working ( formal )

[Late 16th century. < medieval Latin actuatus, past participle of actuare 'cause something to be done' < Latin actus (see act)]

actuation [ ákchoo áysh'n ] noun

actuator [ ákchoo aytər ] noun

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