stimulus
/ˈstɪmjʊləs/noun
(pl. stimuli /-laɪ/)
1- a thing or event that evokes a specific functional reaction in an organ or tissue刺激（器官、组织的）事物, 刺激：
areas of the brain which respond to auditory stimuli.
会对听觉刺激作出反应的大脑区域。
1.1
- a thing that rouses activity or energy in someone or something; a spur or incentive刺激物, 激励物：
if the tax were abolished, it would act as a stimulus to exports.
如果那项税收取消, 就会刺激出口。
1.2
- an interesting and exciting quality刺激性; 趣味性：
she loved the stimulus of the job.
她喜爱这份工作的刺激性。
词源
late 17th cent.: from Latin, 'goad, spur, incentive'.