Stir - English meaning

verb

Make (something) active or operative.

Usage examples:

Fumes from cooking are enough to activate the alarm

verb

To cause something to start working

Usage examples:

Something activated the car alarm.

verb

To make something start working or happening

Usage examples:

New customers must call an automated line to activate their card., the move will activate a clause …

noun

A state of agitation or fuss, especially about something unimportant.

Usage examples:

This is much ado about almost nothing

suffix

Forming nouns such as bravado, desperado.

noun

Delay or unnecessary activity

Usage examples:

Without further ado, i shall introduce tonight’s speaker.

verb

Make (someone) troubled or nervous.

Usage examples:

The thought of questioning toby agitated him extremely

verb

To argue energetically, esp. in public, in order to achieve a particular type of change

Usage examples:

Telephone companies began to agitate for permission to compete in long distance services., any ment…

verb

Bring to life.

Usage examples:

Prometheus stole fire from heaven to animate his clay men

adjective

Alive or having life.

Usage examples:

Gods in a wide variety of forms, both animate and inanimate

verb

To cause someone or something to be more active or full of life

Usage examples:

He knows exactly what to say to animate a crowd.

verb

Evoke or awaken (a feeling, emotion, or response).

Usage examples:

Something about the man aroused the guard's suspicions

verb

Rouse from sleep; cause to stop sleeping.

Usage examples:

Anna was awakened by the telephone

verb

To stop sleeping, or to cause someone to stop sleeping

Usage examples:

[ t ] the family was awakened by a noise., [ t ] his television series awakened popular interest in…

verb

Strike (a person or an animal) repeatedly and violently so as to hurt or injure them, typically with an implement such as a club or whip.

Usage examples:

If we were caught we were beaten

noun

A main accent or rhythmic unit in music or poetry.

Usage examples:

The glissando begins on the second beat

adjective

Short for beatnik.

verb

Mix (a substance) with another substance so that they combine together.

Usage examples:

Blend the cornflour with a tablespoon of water

noun

A mixture of different substances or other things.

Usage examples:

The chutney is a blend of bananas, raisins, and ginger

noun

Mix together different elements

noun

A noisy and overexcited reaction or response to something.

Usage examples:

The brouhaha over those infamous commercials

noun

A state of confused and noisy disturbance.

Usage examples:

She was distracted by a commotion across the street

noun

A sudden, brief period of noise, confusion, or excited movement

Usage examples:

[ c ] there was a commotion outside the embassy.

verb

Interfere with the normal arrangement or functioning of.

Usage examples:

Take the rollers out carefully so as not to disturb the curls too much

verb

To cause someone to stop what the person is doing, or to interrupt an activity

Usage examples:

Please don’t disturb jimmy – he’s trying to do his homework., this year’s election campaign has dis…

verb

To interrupt what someone is doing

Usage examples:

Please don't disturb your sister - she's trying to do her homework., i'm sorry to disturb you so la…

noun

The interruption of a settled and peaceful condition.

Usage examples:

A helicopter landing can cause disturbance to residents

noun

Something that interrupts you, esp. something loud or causing trouble

Usage examples:

You must take care of yourself and avoid upsetting disturbances., the disturbance became a typhoon …

verb

Charge with electricity; pass an electric current through.

Usage examples:

After locking the farm gate i had switched on the power to electrify the fence

verb

To equip with electricity

Usage examples:

They recently electrified this part of the railway line., her performance electrified the audience.

verb

Set on fire.

Usage examples:

The glare from its enkindled roof illumined its innermost recesses

verb

Cause (someone) to feel very enthusiastic and eager.

Usage examples:

Flying still excites me

verb

To make someone have strong feelings, esp. of happiness and enthusiasm

Usage examples:

In some science fiction movies, the music and special effects can really excite audiences., the str…

verb

To cause activity in a market by causing lots of people to buy and sell stocks and shares

Usage examples:

A significant oil find by the group in western india has excited the market., the bullish product u…

noun

A feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness.

Usage examples:

Her cheeks were flushed with excitement

verb

(of a substance) undergo fermentation.

Usage examples:

The drink had fermented, turning some of the juice into alcohol

noun

Agitation and excitement among a group of people, typically concerning major change and leading to trouble or violence.

Usage examples:

A period of political and religious ferment

verb

To change chemically through the action of living substances, such as yeast or bacteria, or to use a substance to produce a chemical change

Usage examples:

He was a central figure in the intellectual ferment of his time.

noun

A process in which substances combine chemically with oxygen from the air and typically give out bright light, heat, and smoke; combustion or burning.

Usage examples:

His house was destroyed by fire

verb

Discharge a gun or other weapon in order to propel (a bullet or projectile).

Usage examples:

He fired a shot at the retreating prisoners

noun

The state of burning, or a burning mass of material

Usage examples:

[ u ] the factory had to be closed because the risk of fire was too great., [ c ] there have been a…

verb

(of a bird) move (its wings) up and down when flying or preparing to fly.

Usage examples:

A pheasant flapped its wings

noun

A thin, flat piece of cloth, paper, metal, etc. that is hinged or attached on one side only and covers an opening or hangs down from something.

Usage examples:

The flap of the envelope

verb

Move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion

noun

A small swirling mass of something, especially snow or leaves, moved by sudden gusts of wind.

Usage examples:

A flurry of snow

verb

(especially of snow or leaves) be moved in small swirling masses by sudden gusts of wind.

Usage examples:

Gusts of snow flurried through the door

noun

A sudden light fall of snow, blown in different directions by the wind

Usage examples:

Heavy snow will be tapering off to flurries in the morning., there was a flurry of excitement as th…

verb

(of a bird or other winged creature) fly unsteadily or hover by flapping the wings quickly and lightly.

Usage examples:

A couple of butterflies fluttered around the garden

noun

An act of fluttering.

Usage examples:

There was a flutter of wings at the window

verb

To move in quick, irregular motions, or to cause something to move this way

Usage examples:

[ i ] the flags fluttered in the breeze., there was a flutter of wings overhead.

noun

An outbreak of public anger or excitement.

Usage examples:

The verdict raised a furore over the role of courtroom psychiatry

noun

A sudden excited or angry reaction to something by a lot of people

Usage examples:

The government's decision to raise taxes has caused a great furore., furore over the furore over hi…

noun

A display of unnecessary or excessive excitement, activity, or interest.

Usage examples:

I don't know what all the fuss is about

verb

Show unnecessary or excessive concern about something.

Usage examples:

She's always fussing about her food

verb

Shock or excite (someone) into taking action.

Usage examples:

The urgency of his voice galvanized them into action

noun

Galvanized steel sheeting, typically as used for roofing or fencing.

Usage examples:

The rain was beating hard against miss orilie's galvanize

verb

To cause a person or group to suddenly take action, esp. by shocking or exciting them in some way

Usage examples:

Why not use the media to galvanize the community into action?

noun

An occasion when there is too much interest in or discussion about something that is not important

Usage examples:

One of the tabloids published the pictures and they caused a great hoo-ha.

noun

A commotion; a fuss.

Usage examples:

Remember all the hullabaloo over the golf ball?

verb

Fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

Usage examples:

His philosophy inspired a later generation of environmentalists

verb

Serve as the inciting cause of

noun

A commotion or fuss, especially one caused by conflicting views.

Usage examples:

There was a kerfuffle over the chairmanship

noun

Noise, excitement, and argument

Usage examples:

Her glasses were broken in the kerfuffle.

verb

Set (something) on fire.

Usage examples:

Last night i built the first fire i've kindled in years and it came back to me, that instinctual pu…

noun

A litter of kittens.

Usage examples:

She was asked to take in a kindle of kittens

verb

To cause a fire to start burning

Usage examples:

Fig. great literature kindled their imaginations (= made them work).

verb

Combine or put together to form one substance or mass.

Usage examples:

Peppercorns are sometimes mixed with other spices

noun

Two or more different qualities, things, or people placed, combined, or considered together.

Usage examples:

The decor is a fascinating mix of antique and modern

verb

To combine different substances, esp. so that the result cannot easily be separated into its parts, or to cause different substances to combine in this way

Usage examples:

[ i ] oil and water don’t mix., [ t ] mix two eggs into the flour., [ t ] he mixed the blue paint w…

verb

Go in a specified direction or manner; change position.

Usage examples:

She moved to the door

noun

A change of place, position, or state.

Usage examples:

She made a sudden move towards me

verb

Change location

verb

Bring into a disordered or confusing state.

Usage examples:

I fear he may have muddled the message

noun

An untidy and disorganized state or collection.

Usage examples:

The finances were in a muddle

noun

A messy and confused state

Usage examples:

Her life was in a muddle.

verb

Make or become faster or quicker.

Usage examples:

She quickened her pace, desperate to escape

verb

To become or make faster or more active

Usage examples:

[ i ] his pulse quickened when he saw her., [ t ] computers have quickened the pace of communicatio…

verb

Tremble or shake with a slight rapid motion.

Usage examples:

The tree's branches stopped quivering

noun

A slight trembling movement or sound, especially one caused by a sudden strong emotion.

Usage examples:

She couldn't help the quiver in her voice

noun

An archer's portable case for holding arrows.

Usage examples:

He also had a framed backpack, a utility belt containing tools, a quiver containing 14 arrows, a fl…

verb

Cause to stop sleeping.

Usage examples:

She was roused from a deep sleep by a hand on her shoulder

verb

To wake someone or make someone more active or excited

Usage examples:

She roused him from his sleep.

verb

Make a soft, muffled crackling sound like that caused by the movement of dry leaves or paper.

Usage examples:

She came closer, her skirt swaying and rustling

noun

A soft, muffled crackling sound like that made by the movement of dry leaves or paper.

Usage examples:

There was a rustle in the undergrowth behind her

noun

A physical feeling or perception resulting from something that happens to or comes into contact with the body.

Usage examples:

A burning sensation in the middle of the chest

noun

A feeling in your body resulting from something that happens or is done to it, or the ability to feel as the result of touch

Usage examples:

[ c ] he felt a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach., [ u ] this part of your body doesn’t …

verb

(of a structure or area of land) tremble or vibrate.

Usage examples:

Buildings shook in sacramento and tremors were felt in reno

noun

An act of shaking.

Usage examples:

She gave her red curls a shake

verb

Move or cause to move back and forth

noun

A sound made by something striking or falling into liquid.

Usage examples:

We hit the water with a mighty splash

verb

Cause (liquid) to strike or fall on something in irregular drops.

Usage examples:

She splashed cold water on to her face

verb

To scatter liquid or to cause liquid to scatter through the air or onto something

Usage examples:

[ t ] she splashed her face with cold water., [ i ] kids love to splash around in mud puddles., a s…

verb

Raise levels of physiological or nervous activity in (the body or any biological system).

Usage examples:

The women are given fertility drugs to stimulate their ovaries

verb

To encourage something to grow, develop, or become active

Usage examples:

Tax cuts will stimulate the economy., read books to stimulate your child’s imagination., some veget…

verb

To encourage something to grow, develop, or become active

Usage examples:

The government plans to cut taxes in order to stimulate the economy., stimulate growth/investment/t…

verb

Move with a hissing or rushing sound.

Usage examples:

A car swished by

noun

A hissing or rustling sound.

Usage examples:

He could hear the swish of a distant car

adjective

An effeminate gay man.

noun

A show of anger, worry, or excitement that is unnecessary or greater than the situation deserves

Usage examples:

Getting our passports renewed was such a to-do.

verb

(of a person or part of the body) shake involuntarily, typically as a result of anxiety, excitement, or frailty.

Usage examples:

Isobel was trembling with excitement

noun

(of a person, a part of the body, or the voice) shake involuntarily, typically as a result of anxiety, excitement, or frailty.

Usage examples:

Isobel was trembling with excitement

noun

A state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty.

Usage examples:

The country was in turmoil

noun

A state of extreme confusion, uncertainty, or lack of order

Usage examples:

Her mind was in turmoil., she grew up in the turmoil of the 1960s.

verb

Give or cause to give a short, sudden jerking or convulsive movement.

Usage examples:

Her lips twitched and her eyelids fluttered

noun

A short, sudden jerking or convulsive movement.

Usage examples:

His mouth gave a slight twitch

verb

To make a short and sudden movement, or to cause part of your body to move suddenly

Usage examples:

[ i ] she saw his mouth twitch into a little smile that disappeared almost at once., she signalled …

noun

A loud and impassioned noise or disturbance.

Usage examples:

The room was in an uproar

noun

Loud complaints esp. by angry people, or a noisy state of confusion

Usage examples:

[ c ] there was an uproar over the proposed rent increases.

verb

Another term for wake1 (sense 1 of the verb).

Usage examples:

She knew he would waken in an hour or so

verb

To (cause to) wake from sleep

Usage examples:

I shook him but he didn't waken., waken me at 7.00, would you?

verb

Sharpen the blade of (a tool or weapon).

Usage examples:

She took out her dagger and began to whet its blade in even, rhythmic strokes

noun

A thing that stimulates appetite or desire.

Usage examples:

He swallowed his two dozen oysters as a whet

noun

A strip of leather or length of cord fastened to a handle, used for flogging or beating a person or for urging on an animal.

Usage examples:

I wouldn't be surprised if they walked around their office wearing tight leather and vinyl with whi…

verb

Short for whipper-in.

noun

An instrument with a handle and a flexible lash

verb

Take or move (someone or something) somewhere suddenly and quickly.

Usage examples:

He whisked her off to paris for a few days

noun

A utensil for whipping eggs or cream.

Usage examples:

It doesn't take as long a time as you'd think to whip cream with a whisk.

noun

A mixer incorporating a coil of wires