Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
STIR
I. verb (stirred; stirring)
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English styrian; akin to Old High German stōren to scatter Date: before 12th century transitive verb
1. to cause an especially slight movement or change of position of, to disturb the quiet of ; agitate ,
2. to disturb the relative position of the particles or parts of especially by a continued circular movement , to mix by or as if by stirring, bestir , exert , to bring into notice or debate ; raise ,
5. to rouse to activity ; evoke strong feelings in , to call forth (as a memory) ; evoke , provoke , intransitive verb
1. to make a slight movement , to begin to move (as in rousing), to shift to another location ; budge , to begin to be active , to be active or busy , to pass an implement through a substance with a circular movement, to be able to be stirred, stirrer noun
II. noun
Date: 14th century
1. a state of disturbance, agitation, or brisk activity, widespread notice and discussion ; impression , a slight movement, a stirring movement,
III. noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1851
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