From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
stirring
adj 1: capable of arousing enthusiasm or excitement; "a rousing
sermon"; "stirring events such as wars and rescues" [syn:
rousing, stirring]
2: exciting strong but not unpleasant emotions; "a stirring
speech" [syn: stirring, soul-stirring]
n 1: agitating a liquid with an implement; "constant stirring
prevents it from burning on the bottom of the pan"
2: arousing to a particular emotion or action [syn:
inspiration, stirring]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Stir \Stir\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stirred; p. pr. & vb. n.
Stirring.] [OE. stiren, steren, sturen, AS. styrian;
probably akin to D. storen to disturb, G. st["o]ren, OHG.
st[=o]ren to scatter, destroy. [root]166.]
1. To change the place of in any manner; to move.
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My foot I had never yet in five days been able to
stir. --Sir W.
Temple.
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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.
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My mind is troubled, like a fountain stirred.
--Shak.
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3. To bring into debate; to agitate; to moot.
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Stir not questions of jurisdiction. --Bacon.
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4. To incite to action; to arouse; to instigate; to prompt;
to excite. "To stir men to devotion." --Chaucer.
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An Ate, stirring him to blood and strife. --Shak.
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And for her sake some mutiny will stir. --Dryden.
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Note: 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.
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Syn: To move; incite; awaken; rouse; animate; stimulate;
excite; provoke.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Stirring \Stir"ring\, a.
Putting in motion, or being in motion; active; active in
business; habitually employed in some kind of business;
accustomed to a busy life.
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A more stirring and intellectual age than any which had
gone before it. --Southey.
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Syn: Animating; arousing; awakening; stimulating; quickening;
exciting.
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