Definition of "bestir" [be•stir]

• To cause to become active; rouse: finally bestirred himself to look for work. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Whereupon Snettishane, with visions of his incalculable interest keeping him awake of nights, thought it time to bestir himself."
• "We learned from the Urban League's Achievement Campaign that youngsters will respond if only the adults in the proverbial village bestir themselves to inspire and then recognize them."
• "Shadows lurk near the entrances to alleys, but none bestir themselves to trouble us."