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stir up

 - 4 dictionary results

stir

1  [stur] ,verb, stirred, stir⋅ring, noun
Use stir up in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to move one's hand or an implement continuously or repeatedly through (a liquid or other substance) in order to cool, mix, agitate, dissolve, etc., any or all of the component parts: to stir one's coffee with a spoon.
2. to set in tremulous, fluttering, or irregular motion: A soft breeze stirred the leaves.
3. to affect strongly; excite: to stir pity; to stir one's heart.
4. to incite, instigate, or prompt (usually fol. by up): to stir up a people to rebellion.
5. to move briskly; bestir: to stir oneself.
6. to move, esp. in a slight way: He would not stir a finger to help them.
7. to rouse from inactivity, quiet, contentment, indifference, etc. (usually fol. by up): to stir up his potential.
8. to bring up for notice or discussion.
9. to disturb; trouble.
–verb (used without object)
10. to move, esp. slightly or lightly: Not a leaf stirred.
11. to move around, esp. briskly; be active: Everyone in the house was stirring.
12. to become active, as from some rousing or quickening impulse.
13. to be emotionally moved or strongly affected.
14. to be in circulation, current, or afoot: Is there any news stirring?
–noun
15. the act of stirring or moving.
16. the sound made by stirring or moving slightly.
17. a state or occasion of general excitement; commotion: The news created a stir.
18. a mental impulse, sensation, or feeling: a stir of hope.
19. a jog, poke, or thrust: He gave the refuse a stir with his foot.
20. movement, esp. brisk and busy movement: There was too much clamor and stir for her.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME stiren (v.), OE styrian; c. G stören; akin to ON styrr disturbance; see storm

Related forms:
stir⋅ra⋅ble, adjective
stirless, adjective
stir⋅less⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. disturb. 4. rouse, foment, arouse, provoke, stimulate, goad, spur. 17. fuss, pother, agitation, disorder, uproar. See ado. 20. bustle,

Antonyms:
17. quiet.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Slang Dictionary
stir

  1. n.
    prison. (Underworld.) : I can't stand being in stir!
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Word Origin & History

stir  (v.)
O.E. styrian, from P.Gmc. *sturjanan (cf. M.Du. stoeren, Du. storen "to disturb," O.H.G. storan "to scatter, destroy," Ger. stören "to disturb"), probably from the root of storm (q.v.). The noun sense of "commotion, disturbance, tumult" (c.1375, in phrase on steir) is probably from O.N. styrr "disturbance, tumult" (see storm), from the same P.Gmc. root; the sense of "movement, bustle" is probably from the Eng. verb. Stir-fry (v.) is attested from 1959.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

stir up

  1. Mix together the ingredients or parts, as in He stirred up some pancake batter, or Will you stir up the fire? [Mid-1300s]

  2. Rouse to action, incite, provoke, as in He's always stirring up trouble among the campers, or If the strikers aren't careful they'll stir up a riot. [First half of 1500s] Also see stir up a hornets' nest.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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