The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Actuate \Ac"tu*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Actuated; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Actuating.] [LL. actuatus, p. p. of actuare, fr. L.
   actus act.]
   1. To put into action or motion; to move or incite to action;
      to influence actively; to move as motives do; -- more
      commonly used of persons.
      [1913 Webster]

            Wings, which others were contriving to actuate by
            the perpetual motion.                 --Johnson.
      [1913 Webster]

            Men of the greatest abilities are most fired with
            ambition; and, on the contrary, mean and narrow
            minds are the least actuated by it.   --Addison.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To carry out in practice; to perform. [Obs.] "To actuate
      what you command." --Jer. Taylor.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: To move; impel; incite; rouse; instigate; animate.
        [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

actuated \actuated\ adj.
   1. moved to action motivated (vs. unmotivated)
      [WordNet 1.5]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

actuated
    adj 1: moved to action; "a man actuated by unworthy desired"