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to incite or move to action; impel; motivate:
actuated by selfish motives.
to put into action; start a process; turn on:
to actuate a machine.
historical examples

the same feeling may actuate many a peruvian bondholder when he is told that the peruvians are beginning to cultivate literature.
peru in the guano age alexander james duffield

in fig. 213 the key is about to actuate the locking mechanism.
how it works archibald williams

this idea seems to actuate all animals when in the last stage of thirst.
australia twice traversed, the romance of exploration ernest giles

the bill covers not only pieces or controller records, but also the machines which they actuate.
arguments before the committee on patents of the house of representatives, conjointly with the senate committee on patents, on h.r. 19853, to amend and consolidate the acts respecting copyright united states committee on patents

in all stages of social development the economic motives that actuate men remain essentially the same.
essentials of economic theory john bates clark

and this all believers should maintain and actuate in themselves.
a christian directory (volume 1 of 4) richard baxter

there were duty here and pity and unselfish love, but these alone did not actuate shefford.
the rainbow trail zane grey

he was void of any of these feelings which actuate men to do good.
barchester towers anthony trollope

success is the most valuable remuneration, and should actuate ministers both in their private studies, and their public labors.
the mosaic history of the creation of the world thomas wood

he had never dared to actuate the “hired man,” his father, on a basis of fact.
the desert and the sown mary hallock foote

verb (transitive)
to put into action or mechanical motion
to motivate or incite into action: actuated by unworthy desires
v.

1590s, from medieval latin actuatus, past participle of actuare, from latin actus (see act (n.)). related: actuated; actuating.