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stimulus

stim·u·lus [ stímmyələss ] (plural stim·u·li [ stímmyə l ])


noun 
Definition:
 
1. incentive: something that encourages an activity or a process to begin, increase, or develop

2. something arousing interest: an agent or factor that provokes interest, enthusiasm, or excitement

3. physiology cause of physical response: something that causes a physical response in an organism, e.g. a drug or an electrical impulse

[Late 17th century. < Latin, "goad, stake"]
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