ppl. a. [f. STIMULATE v. + -ING2.] That stimulates.

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  1.  Rousing to action or exertion; spurring or urging on; inciting; spec. inciting to mental activity.

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a. 1732.  Gay, Fables, II. xv. 87. Urg’d by the stimulating goad, I [the ox] drag the cumbrous waggon’s load.

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1828.  P. Cunningham, N. S. Wales (ed. 3), II. 132. Urged on by the stimulating excitement afforded by publicity.

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1873.  R. W. Church, Influences Chr. Nat. Charact., ii. 87. The sentences of Seneca are stimulating to the intellect.

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1908.  J. Wells, Stewart of Lovedale, iv. 29. Admirable and stimulating as he was as a preacher, Mr. Stewart was even more stimulating as a teacher.

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  2.  Phys. and Med. = STIMULANT A. 2 a, c.

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1684.  trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., XIX. 694/2. Aphrodisiacks are either 1. strengthners … Or 2. Stimulating.

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1732.  Arbuthnot, Rules of Diet, in Aliments, etc. 255. Salts which make it pungent and stimulating.

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1793.  T. Beddoes, Calculus, etc. 198. The stimulating quality of light upon plants.

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1836.  A. Combe, Physiol. Digestion, 270. Quantities of stimulating animal food.

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1842.  Loudon, Suburban Hort., 57. Sea-weed is still more readily decomposed … and hence this manure is stimulating as well as enriching.

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1898.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., V. 284. A stimulating liniment containing turpentine and iodine.

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  b.  spec. = STIMULANT A. 2 c. Now rare.

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1840.  Macaulay, Ess., Clive, ¶ 37. Stimulating drugs were employed to aid the effect of religious zeal, and the besiegers, drunk with enthusiasm, drunk with bang, rushed furiously to the attack.

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1872.  J. G. Murphy, Comm. Lev. x. 10, 11. Abstinence … from stimulating drinks.

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