Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Stimulate \Stim"u*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Stimulated}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Stimulating}.] [L. stimulatus, p. p. of
   stimulare to prick or goad on, to incite, fr. stimulus a
   goad. See {Stimulus}.]
   1. To excite as if with a goad; to excite, rouse, or animate,
      to action or more vigorous exertion by some pungent motive
      or by persuasion; as, to stimulate one by the hope of
      reward, or by the prospect of glory.

            To excite and stimulate us thereunto. --Dr. J.
                                                  Scott.

   2. (Physiol.) To excite; to irritate; especially, to excite
      the activity of (a nerve or an irritable muscle), as by
      electricity.

   Syn: To animate; incite; encourage; impel; urge; instigate;
        irritate; exasperate; incense.

Source : WordNet®

stimulate
     v 1: act as a stimulant; "The book stimulated her imagination";
          "This play stimulates" [syn: {excite}] [ant: {stifle}]
     2: cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner; "The ads
        induced me to buy a VCR"; "My children finally got me to
        buy a computer"; "My wife made me buy a new sofa" [syn: {induce},
         {cause}, {have}, {get}, {make}]
     3: stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of; "These stories
        shook the community"; "the civil war shook the country"
        [syn: {shake}, {shake up}, {excite}, {stir}]
     4: cause to be alert and energetic; "Coffee and tea stimulate
        me"; "This herbal infusion doesn't stimulate" [syn: {arouse},
         {brace}, {energize}, {energise}, {perk up}] [ant: {de-energize},
         {de-energize}, {sedate}]
     5: cause to occur rapidly; "the infection precipitated a high
        fever and allergic reactions" [syn: {induce}, {rush}, {hasten}]
     6: stir feelings in; "stimulate my appetite"; "excite the
        audience"; "stir emotions" [syn: {excite}, {stir}]
     7: provide the needed stimulus for [syn: {provoke}]