plural stimuli, 1680s, originally as a medical term, "something that goads a lazy organ" (often the male member), from a modern use of Latin stimulus "a goad, a pointed stick," figuratively "a sting, a pang; incitement, spur," from PIE *sti- "point, prick, pierce" (see stick (v.)). General sense of "something that excites or arouses the mind or spirit" is from 1791. Psychological sense is first recorded 1894.
实用例句
1. Books provide children with ideas and a stimulus for play.
书不仅给孩子们以思想，而且使他们玩得更有意思。
来自《权威词典》
2. Regard each failure as a stimulus to further efforts.
把每次失利看成对进一步努力的激励.
来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
3. Light is a stimulus to growth in plants.
光是促进植物生长的一个因素.
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. Poverty is a stimulus to industry.
贫穷能使人勤劳.
来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
5. Interest rates could fall soon and be a stimulus to the US economy.
