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stir

1. To change the place of in any manner; to move. My foot I had never yet in five days been able to stir. (Sir W. Temple)

2. To disturb the relative position of the particles of, as of a liquid, by passing something through it; to agitate; as, to stir a pudding with a spoon. My mind is troubled, like a fountain stirred. (Shak)

3. To bring into debate; to agitate; to moot. Stir not questions of jurisdiction. (bacon)

4. To incite to action; to arouse; to instigate; to prompt; to excite. To stir men to devotion. An Ate, stirring him to blood and strife. (Shak) And for her sake some mutiny will stir. (Dryden)

In all senses except the first, stir is often followed by up with an intensive effect; as, to stir up fire; to stir up sedition.

Synonym: To move, incite, awaken, rouse, animate, stimulate, excite, provoke.

Origin: OE. Stiren, steren, sturen, AS. Styrian; probably akin to D. Storen to disturb, G. Storen, OHG. Storen to scatter, destroy. 166.