Stimulus

Quick meaning: Stimulus is a noun meaning (botany, entomology) A stinging part on the body of a plant or insect.

Meaning

(botany, entomology) A stinging part on the body of a plant or insect.

More Meanings

1. An external phenomenon that has an influence on a system, by triggering or modifying an internal phenomenon; for example, a spur or incentive that drives a person to take action or change behaviour.
2. (physiology, psychology, medicine) Something external that elicits or influences a physiological or psychological activity or response, or that affects any of the sensory apparatuses.

Example Sentences

an economic stimulus

respond to a stimulus

From the beginning of the show to the end, vanity is the sole stimulus and reward of action—vanity, that never looks beyond the present.

Even light nonpainful stimuli can provoke or exacerbate spontaneous pain; this is not limited to tactile, thermal, or vibratory stimuli, because auditory, visual, olfactory, and visceral stimuli also may be problematic.

Word Forms

• stimuluses
• stimuli

Synonyms for stimulus

Depending on context, synonyms include influence, impetus, impulse, spur, stimulant, stimulation.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include stimulation, input, stimulant, incentive, motivation, drive.

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