stimulus
Definitions
Something that produces a reaction or response in a person, organism, or system.
刺激物，刺激因素
Government action or spending intended to encourage economic growth.
（经济）刺激措施
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedstimulus is the Latin word kept whole: literally the pointed stick a herdsman jabbed into cattle to drive them. A stimulus is anything that 'jabs' a response out of something — a light, a sound, or a fiscal package poking an economy into motion.
Root stinct still carries 42 more wordsUsage Guide
Note the irregular plural: one stimulus, several stimuli (/-laɪ/), from Latin. In economics, 'stimulus' is often used uncountably (fiscal stimulus, a stimulus package). The plain physical sense (a stimulus → a response) dominates in psychology and biology.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The bright flash served as a stimulus for the experiment.
- 2.
The government announced a massive stimulus to revive the economy.