Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Actuate \Ac"tu*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Actuated}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Actuating}.] [LL. actuatus, p. p. of actuare, fr. L.
   actus act.]
   1. To put into action or motion; to move or incite to action;
      to influence actively; to move as motives do; -- more
      commonly used of persons.

            Wings, which others were contriving to actuate by
            the perpetual motion.                 --Johnson.

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

   2. To carry out in practice; to perform. [Obs.] ``To actuate
      what you command.'' --Jer. Taylor.

   Syn: To move; impel; incite; rouse; instigate; animate.

Actuate \Ac"tu*ate\, a. [LL. actuatus, p. p. of actuare.]
   Put in action; actuated. [Obs.] --South.

Source : WordNet®

actuate
     v 1: put in motion or move to act; "trigger a reaction"; "actuate
          the circuits" [syn: {trip}, {trigger}, {activate}, {set
          off}, {spark off}, {spark}, {trigger off}, {touch off}]
     2: give an incentive for action; "This moved me to sacrifice my
        career" [syn: {motivate}, {propel}, {move}, {prompt}, {incite}]