激发
jīfā · HSK 7
to arouse; to stimulate
⚡ 激发 = 激 arouse/stir up + 发 emit/set off → spark a reaction into action
激 carries the sense of a surge or intense stirring (as in 激动 excited); 发 means to emit or set off (as in 发射 launch). Together they mean to rouse something latent and make it burst out — to spark, incite, or trigger.
发 — simplified form of 發; from 癶 (two feet) + 弓 (bow) + 殳 (weapon)
The traditional form 發 depicted shooting an arrow from a bow, with 癶 showing outstretched feet and 弓 the bow, giving the core sense of 'send out, discharge.' From this came extended meanings like 'issue, emit, develop.' The modern simplified 发 also absorbed 髮 (hair), so it now covers both 'to send out' and 'hair.'