stimulus
/ˈstɪmjʊləs
/noun (plural stimuli /ˈstɪmjʊlʌɪ/ /ˈstɪmjʊliː/)
1A thing or event that evokes a specific functional reaction in an organ or tissue: areas of the brain which respond to auditory stimuli...
- They had slower reaction times for visual and auditory stimuli, as well as subtle chorea, dystonia, and nystagmus.
- They are conditioned to respond to an auditory stimulus by, for example, dropping a block when a sound is heard through earphones.
- The Tullio phenomenon represents vestibular symptoms and/or eye movements evoked by a sound stimulus.
1.1A thing that arouses activity or energy in someone or something; a spur or incentive: if the tax were abolished, it would act as a stimulus to exports...
- The present out and out secularism of the state could prove to be a stimulus to genuine ecumenism.
- Also, if devaluation acts as a stimulus for growth in America this could have a positive knock-on effect in the rest of the world.
- America's goods and services become cheaper abroad so it acts as a stimulus for the US economy.
Synonyms
spur, stimulant, encouragement, impetus, boost, prompt, prod, incentive, inducement, inspiration, fillip;
motive, motivation, impulse;
provocation, goad, incitement
informal shot in the arm, kick up the backside
technical precipitant
1.2 [in singular] An interesting and exciting quality: she loved the stimulus of the job...
- You need non-partner stimulus from friends (or classes, or an engaging job or hobby).
- In this age of constant stimulus, Larivière posits that we're more in love with the images of our partners than the people themselves.
- It's not, I believe, the stress of their old job that kills them but the sudden withdrawal of mental stimulus.
Origin
Late 17th century: from Latin, 'goad, spur, incentive'.