Actuated
/ˈæk.tʃu.eɪ.tɪd/
verbB2past tense, past participle
Definition
Actuated means to make something begin to work or move, often by using a force or power. It can also mean to cause a person to act in a certain way because of a feeling or reason.
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⚡ See It in Action
To cause a machine or device to start working
- •The lever actuated the machine's cutting blade.
- •The robot was actuated by an electric motor.
- •The door lock is actuated by a remote control.
To cause a person to act because of a feeling or reason
- •He was actuated by a strong desire to help others.
- •Her curiosity actuated her to explore the old house.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "actuated" like "started" or "moved," but more specific to machines or feelings causing action.
- ✓Picture pressing a button that makes a machine turn on or a robot start moving.
- ✓It's the feeling when something inside you makes you do something, like excitement actuating (causing) you to speak.
- ✓Sounds like "act-you-ate-ed" → imagine someone acting because they were "activated" inside, like a switch turning on.
- ✓Think of a car engine that starts when you turn the key—your action actuates the engine.
- ✓NOT like "stop" (which ends movement), "actuated" means to cause movement or action to begin.
- ✓NOT like "react" (which happens after something else), "actuated" often means the first cause or reason for action.
- ✓NOT like "turn on" (simple switch action), "actuated" can be more formal or technical, used in machines or motivation.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Activated: made something start working (Use when focusing on turning on electrical or electronic devices)
- •Triggered: caused something to happen suddenly (Use when the action happens quickly or automatically)
- •Motivated: caused a person to act because of feelings (Use when talking about reasons inside a person)
- •Operated: controlled or used a machine (Use when focusing on controlling rather than just starting)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "act-" (do, move) + suffix "-uate" (to cause) + "-ed" (past tense)
- •Etymology: From Latin "actuare," meaning to put into motion or action
- •Historical development: Used from the 1600s to describe causing action or movement, especially in machines and later in psychology for motivation
- •Modern usage: Common in engineering to describe making machines work; also used in psychology or literature to describe what causes people to act
💭 Reflect & Connect
•What kinds of machines or devices around you are actuated by simple actions like pressing buttons?
•Can feelings or reasons inside a person be actuated in the same way as machines? How are they similar or different?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The machine was actuated ___ pressing the red button on the control panel.
2.He was actuated by a strong sense of ___ to finish the project on time.
3.Unlike simple switches, actuated systems often require a ___ or force to begin moving.
4.When the sensor detected movement, it actuated the ___ to open automatically.
5.She was actuated ___ curiosity to explore the unknown.
6.Actuated devices usually respond ___ an external signal or command.
7.The robot's arm was actuated ___ a small electric motor inside.