A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin

Stimulus (Eng.noun), something which agitates or excites: incitamentum,-i (s.n.II), abl. sg. incitamento, an incitement, incentive, an inducement; incitatio,-onis (s.f.III) an inciting, incitement, rousing, instigating, exciting; irritamentum,-i (s.n.II), abl. sg. irritamento, a provocation, an incentive, stimulus; stimulus,-i (s.m.II), q.v., abl. sg. stimulo.

able to respond to stimuli: irritabilis,-e (adj.B), irritable, sensitive, responding to stimuli.’

Stimulus,-i (s.m.II), abl. sg. stimulo: “stings; sharp stiff hairs, containing an acrid fluid which produces pain when it pierces the skin” (Lindley); the sting of a plant, such as a stinging hair; a goad for driving animals, a pang, pain, torment; a thing which vexes, torments, stimulates, stings; a stimulus, something which agitates or excites; military: a concealed pointed stake; cf. Urtica,-ae (s.f.I), urens,-entis (part. B) and related words;

- herbae pilis urentibus vel stimulis saepissime armatae (B&H), herbs most often armed with burning hairs or stings.

herba elata, stimulis validis adspersa, tall herbs, sprinkled with powerful stings.

Gk. kentron (s.n.II), a prickle, any sharp point such as a horse- or ox-goad, = Lat. stimulus; a goad, spur, incentive; the sting of bees and wasps; of scorpions (Liddell & Scott): see centrum,-i (s.n.II).