- stir
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stir1
—stirrable, adj. —stirless, adj. —stirlessly, adv./sterr/, v., stirred, stirring, n.v.t.1. to move one's hand or an implement continuously or repeatedly through (a liquid or other substance) in order to cool, mix, agitate, dissolve, etc., any or all of the component parts: to stir one's coffee with a spoon.2. to set in tremulous, fluttering, or irregular motion: A soft breeze stirred the leaves.3. to affect strongly; excite: to stir pity; to stir one's heart.4. to incite, instigate, or prompt (usually fol. by up): to stir up a people to rebellion.5. to move briskly; bestir: to stir oneself.6. to move, esp. in a slight way: He would not stir a finger to help them.7. to rouse from inactivity, quiet, contentment, indifference, etc. (usually fol. by up): to stir up his potential.8. to bring up for notice or discussion.9. to disturb; trouble.v.i.10. to move, esp. slightly or lightly: Not a leaf stirred.11. to move around, esp. briskly; be active: Everyone in the house was stirring.12. to become active, as from some rousing or quickening impulse.13. to be emotionally moved or strongly affected.14. to be in circulation, current, or afoot: Is there any news stirring?n.15. the act of stirring or moving.16. the sound made by stirring or moving slightly.17. a state or occasion of general excitement; commotion: The news created a stir.18. a mental impulse, sensation, or feeling: a stir of hope.19. a jog, poke, or thrust: He gave the refuse a stir with his foot.20. movement, esp. brisk and busy movement: There was too much clamor and stir for her.[bef. 900; ME stiren (v.), OE styrian; c. G stören; akin to ON styrr disturbance; see STORM]Syn. 1. disturb. 4. rouse, foment, arouse, provoke, stimulate, goad, spur. 17. fuss, pother, agitation, disorder, uproar. See ado. 20. bustle,Ant. 17. quiet.stir2/sterr/, n. Slang.prison.[1850-55; argot word of obscure orig; cf. earlier argot start in same sense]
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Universalium. 2010.