actuate
/'æktjueit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb (Transitive):
- To cause (a machine or device) to start operating; to set in motion. This meaning focuses on initiating a mechanical or electrical process.
- To cause someone to act in a certain way; to motivate or impel. This meaning focuses on being the driving force behind a person's behavior or decision.
Examples of Usage
- Verb:
- The sensor will actuate the locking mechanism when it detects motion. (The sensor will cause the lock to start working.)
- A deep sense of justice actuated her to speak out against the policy. (A sense of justice motivated her to speak.)
- Pressing the button actuates the emergency shutdown procedure. (Pressing the button initiates the procedure.)
Advanced Usage
- "to be actuated by": This common passive construction specifies the motive or force behind an action.
- His charitable work is actuated by a genuine desire to help others. (His work is motivated by a genuine desire.)
- The entire system is actuated by a single electric motor. (The system is set in motion by one motor.)
Variants and Related Words
- Actuation (n): The process of causing something to start or operate.
- The actuation of the safety valve prevented an explosion.
- Actuator (n): A mechanical device for moving or controlling something; the part that performs the actuation.
- The robotic arm is controlled by electric actuators.
Synonyms
- Trigger: To cause something to start, often suddenly.
- Activate: To make something operational or active.
- Motivate: To provide someone with a reason to do something.
- Impel: To drive or force someone to do something.
Related Phrasal Verbs
(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)
Related Idioms
(This word is not commonly used in idioms.)
Verb
- give an incentive for action
- This moved me to sacrifice my career
- put in motion or move to act
- trigger a reaction
- actuate the circuits