different between activate vs acuate

English

Etymology

active +? -ate

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?ækt??ve?t/

Verb

activate (third-person singular simple present activates, present participle activating, simple past and past participle activated)

1. (transitive) To encourage development or induce increased activity; to stimulate.

2. (transitive) To put a device, mechanism (alarm etc.) or system into action or motion; to trigger, to actuate, to set off, to enable.

3. (transitive, chemistry, physics) To render more reactive; excite.
4. (transitive, biology) To render a molecule reactive, active, or effective in performing its function.
5. (transitive, physics) To render a substance radioactive.
6. (transitive, chemistry) To hasten a chemical reaction, especially by heating.
7. (transitive, computing, software) To remove the limitations of demoware by providing a license; to unlock.
8. (transitive) To aerate in order to aid decomposition of organic matter.
9. (transitive, military) To organize or create a military unit or station.

10. (transitive, sports) To bring a player back after an injury.

Synonyms

• actuate
• enable
• get going
• set going
• set in motion
• set off
• spur
• start
• stimulate
• trigger
• turn on

Related terms

• activation

Antonyms

• deactivate
• inactivate

Translations

Anagrams

• cavitate

English

Etymology

From Medieval Latin acu?tus, past participle of acu?re, variant of Classical Latin acuere, present active infinitive of acu? (“I sharpen”), from acus (“needle”).

Pronunciation

• (adjective) IPA^(key): /?æk.ju.?t/
• (verb) IPA^(key): /?æk.ju.e?t/

Adjective

acuate (comparative more acuate, superlative most acuate)

1. Sharpened; sharp-pointed.

Verb

acuate (third-person singular simple present acuates, present participle acuating, simple past and past participle acuated)

1. (obsolete, transitive) To sharpen; to make pungent; to quicken.
   • 1764, Edward Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Cherbury, The Life of Edward Lord Herbert of Cherbury

     wicked dispositions shou'd have knowledge to acuate their ill intentions