stimulus

English

/ˈstɪm.jə.ləs/

noun
Definitions
  • Any external phenomenon that has an influence on a system, by triggering or modifying an internal phenomenon.
  • (physiology) Something external that elicits or influences a physiological or psychological activity or response.
  • (psychology) Anything effectively impinging upon any of the sensory apparatuses of a living organism, including physical phenomena both internal and external to the body.
  • Anything that induces a person to take action.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin stimulus (goad, prick, incentive).

Origin

Latin

stimulus

Gloss

goad, prick, incentive

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms