1stir 
/ˈstɚ/ verb
stirs; stirred; stir·ring /ˈstɚ/ verb 1 [+ obj] : to mix (something) by making circular movements in it with a spoon or similar object
▪ She stirred her coffee. ▪ The cake batter must be stirred for 10 minutes. ▪ Stir one cup of sugar into the batter. 2 : to move or cause (someone or something) to move after being still [no obj] ▪ She heard him stir (in bed). [=heard him begin to move in bed as he woke up] ▪ He never stirred from the couch [=he stayed on the couch] all afternoon. [+ obj] ▪ She was stirred from her sleep by the noise. ▪ The breeze stirred the leaves on the tree. 3 a [no obj] : to be active or busy
▪ We could see people stirring inside the shop. ▪ “Not a creature was stirring” — Clement Moore, “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” (1822)
b [+ obj] : to cause (someone or something) to be active
▪ A good book can stir the imagination. ▪ He stirred himself to action. [=he began to take action] 4 [+ obj] : to cause (an emotion or reaction)
▪ The bad economic news has stirred anxiety among investors. [=has caused investors to worry] — usually + up ▪ The bad news has stirred up a lot of anxiety. ▪ The story stirred up some deep emotions within him.
▪ She stirred her coffee. ▪ The cake batter must be stirred for 10 minutes. ▪ Stir one cup of sugar into the batter.
▪ We could see people stirring inside the shop. ▪ “Not a creature was stirring” — Clement Moore, “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” (1822)
b [+ obj] : to cause (someone or something) to be active
▪ A good book can stir the imagination. ▪ He stirred himself to action. [=he began to take action]
▪ The bad economic news has stirred anxiety among investors. [=has caused investors to worry] — usually + up ▪ The bad news has stirred up a lot of anxiety. ▪ The story stirred up some deep emotions within him.
stir up [phrasal verb] 1 stir up (someone) or stir (someone) up : to cause (someone) to feel a strong emotion and a desire to do something
▪ The speech stirred up the crowd. 2 stir (something) up or stir up (something) a : to cause (something) to move up into and through the air or water
▪ The workers stirred up a lot of dust.
b : to cause (something, usually something bad or unpleasant) to happen
▪ They're trying to stir up trouble. ▪ stirring up racial hatred ▪ His comments certainly stirred things up. [=caused a lot of excitement, anger, etc.] — see also 1stir 4 (above)
▪ The speech stirred up the crowd.
▪ The workers stirred up a lot of dust.
b : to cause (something, usually something bad or unpleasant) to happen
▪ They're trying to stir up trouble. ▪ stirring up racial hatred ▪ His comments certainly stirred things up. [=caused a lot of excitement, anger, etc.] — see also 1stir 4 (above)
