different between actuate vs vivify

English

Etymology

From Medieval Latin ?ctu?tus, perfect passive participle of ?ctu? (“actuate, implement”), from Latin ?ctus, perfect passive participle of ag? (“do, act”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?ækt?u.e?t/, /?æktju.e?t/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?ækt?u.e?t/

Verb

actuate (third-person singular simple present actuates, present participle actuating, simple past and past participle actuated)

1. (transitive) To activate, or to put into motion; to animate.
   • November 6, 1750, Samuel Johnson, The Rambler No. 67

     Wings, which others were contriving to actuate by the perpetual motion.
2. (transitive) To incite to action; to motivate.
   • 1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral, 2. ed., London, Oxford University Press, 1973. § 11.

     A man in a fit of anger, is actuated in a very different manner from one who only thinks of that emotion.

   • Men of the greatest abilities are most fired with ambition; and, on the contrary, mean and narrow minds are the least actuated by it.

Derived terms

• actuator

Related terms

• actuation

Translations

See also

• actualise, actualize

Latin

Verb

?ctu?te

1. second-person plural present active imperative of ?ctu?

English

Etymology

Late Latin vivific? via Old French vivifier.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?v?v?f??/
• Hyphenation: viv?ify

Verb

vivify (third-person singular simple present vivifies, present participle vivifying, simple past and past participle vivified)

1. (transitive) To bring to life; to enliven.
2. (transitive) To impart vitality.

Derived terms

• autovivify

Translations