Making something happen or start working; causing someone to take action.
From Latin 'actuare' meaning 'to drive or impel,' derived from 'actus' (a doing or deed). The present participle form shows the ongoing process of causing movement or motivation.
The word 'actuate' comes from the same root as 'actual' and 'action'—they all trace back to Latin 'agere' meaning 'to do.' It's why we talk about 'actuators' in machines and what 'actuates' human behavior in psychology.
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