to move one's hand or an implement continuously or repeatedly through (a liquid or other substance) in order to cool, mix, agitate, dissolve, etc., any or all of the component parts: to stir one's coffee with a spoon.
to set in tremulous, fluttering, or irregular motion: A soft breeze stirred the leaves.
to affect strongly; excite: to stir pity; to stir one's heart.
to incite, instigate, or prompt (usually followed by up): to stir up a people to rebellion.
to move briskly; bestir: to stir oneself.
to move, especially in a slight way: He would not stir a finger to help them.
to rouse from inactivity, quiet, contentment, indifference, etc. (usually followed by up): to stir up his potential.
to bring up for notice or discussion.
to disturb; trouble.
verb (used without object),stirred,stir·ring.
to move, especially slightly or lightly: Not a leaf stirred.
to move around, especially briskly; be active: Everyone in the house was stirring.
to become active, as from some rousing or quickening impulse.
to be emotionally moved or strongly affected.
to be in circulation, current, or afoot: Is there any news stirring?
noun
the act of stirring or moving.
the sound made by stirring or moving slightly.
a state or occasion of general excitement; commotion: The news created a stir.
a mental impulse, sensation, or feeling: a stir of hope.
a jog, poke, or thrust: He gave the refuse a stir with his foot.
movement, especially brisk and busy movement: There was too much clamor and stir for her.
Idioms for stir
stir the pot. pot1 (def. 26).
Origin of stir
1
First recorded before 900; Middle English verb stiren, Old English styrian; cognate with German stören “to disturb, interrupt”; akin to Old Norse styrr “disturbance, brawl”; see storm