The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Induce \In*duce"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Induced; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Inducing.] [L. inducere, inductum; pref. in- in + ducere
   to lead. See Duke, and cf. Induct.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. To lead in; to introduce. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            The poet may be seen inducing his personages in the
            first Iliad.                          --Pope.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To draw on; to overspread. [A Latinism] --Cowper.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To lead on; to influence; to prevail on; to incite; to
      persuade; to move by persuasion or influence. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            He is not obliged by your offer to do it, . . .
            though he may be induced, persuaded, prevailed upon,
            tempted.                              --Paley.
      [1913 Webster]

            Let not the covetous desire of growing rich induce
            you to ruin your reputation.          --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. To bring on; to effect; to cause; as, a fever induced by
      fatigue or exposure; anaphylactic shock induced by
      exposure to a allergen.
      [1913 Webster +PJC]

            Sour things induces a contraction in the nerves.
                                                  --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. (Physics) To produce, or cause, by proximity without
      contact or transmission, as a particular electric or
      magnetic condition in a body, by the approach of another
      body in an opposite electric or magnetic state.
      [1913 Webster]

   6. (Logic) To generalize or conclude as an inference from all
      the particulars; -- the opposite of deduce.

   7. (Genetics, Biochemistry) To cause the expression of (a
      gene or gene product) by affecting a transcription control
      element on the genome, either by inhibiting a negative
      control or by activating a positive control; to derepress;
      as, lactose induces the production of beta-galactosidase
      in Eschericia coli..
      [PJC]

   Syn: To move; instigate; urge; impel; incite; press;
        influence; actuate.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

induce
    v 1: cause to arise; "induce a crisis" [syn: induce, bring
         on]
    2: cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner; "The ads
       induced me to buy a VCR"; "My children finally got me to buy
       a computer"; "My wife made me buy a new sofa" [syn: induce,
       stimulate, cause, have, get, make]
    3: cause to occur rapidly; "the infection precipitated a high
       fever and allergic reactions" [syn: induce, stimulate,
       rush, hasten]
    4: reason or establish by induction
    5: produce electric current by electrostatic or magnetic
       processes [syn: induce, induct]