[ˈaktʃʊeɪt], (Verb)

Definitions:
- cause (a machine or device) to operate
(e.g: the pendulum actuates an electrical switch)

- cause (someone) to act in a particular way; motivate
(e.g: the defendants were actuated by malice)


Phrases:

Origin:
late 16th century: from medieval Latin actuat- ‘carried out, caused to operate’, from the verb actuare, from Latin actus (see act). The original sense was ‘carry out in practice’, later ‘stir into activity, enliven’; actuate dates from the mid 17th century