英语词源字典 - 在线词源网站

activate (v.)[activate 词源字典]: 1620s; see active + -ate (2). Related: Activated; activating.[activate etymology, activate origin, 英语词源]
deactivate (v.): 1904, from de- + activate. Related: Deactivated; deactivating; deactivation.
pager (n.): "device that emits a signal when activated by a telephone call," 1968, agent noun from page (v.1).
reactivate (v.): 1902, from re- "back, again" + activate. Related: Reactivated; reactivating; reactivation.
stealth (n.): mid-13c., "theft, action or practice of stealing," from a probable Old English *stælþ, which is related to stelen (see steal (v.)), from Proto-Germanic *stælitho (cognates: Old Norse stulþr), with Proto-Germanic abstract noun suffix *-itho (see -th (2)).

Compare heal/health, weal/wealth. Sense of "secret action" developed c. 1300, but the word also retained its etymological sense into 18c. Got a boost as an adjective from stealth fighter, stealth bomber, radar-evading U.S. military aircraft, activated 1983.