■ verb
1》 cause to feel very enthusiastic and eager.
↘arouse sexually.
2》 give rise to (a feeling or reaction).
3》 produce a state of increased energy or activity in (a physical or biological system).
Derivatives
excitation noun ( chiefly technical ).
excitative adjective ( rare ).
excitatory adjective ( chiefly Physiology ).
~d adjective
~dly adverb
~r noun
Origin
ME (in the sense 'incite someone to do something'): from OFr. ~r or L. excitare , frequentative of exciere 'call out'.