excite

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Excited; p. pr. & vb. n. exciting. ] [ L. excitare; ex out + citare to move rapidly, to rouse: cf. OF. esciter, exciter, F. exciter. See Cite. ] 1. To call to activity in any way; to rouse to feeling; to kindle to passionate emotion; to stir up to combined or general activity; as, to excite a person, the spirits, the passions; to excite a mutiny or insurrection; to excite heat by friction. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Physiol.) To call forth or increase the vital activity of an organism, or any of its parts.

3. (Elec.) To energize (an electro-magnet); to produce a magnetic field in; as, to excite a dynamo. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

4. (Physics) To raise to a higher energy level; -- used especially of atoms or molecules, or of electrons within atoms or molecules; as, absorption of a photon excites the cesium atom, which subsequently radiates the excess energy. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

Syn. -- To incite; awaken; animate; rouse or arouse; stimulate; inflame; irritate; provoke. -- To Excite, Incite. When we excite we rouse into action feelings which were less strong; when we incite we spur on or urge forward to a specific act or end. Demosthenes excited the passions of the Athenians against Philip, and thus incited the whole nation to unite in the war against him. Antony, by his speech over the body of Cæsar, so excited the feelings of the populace, that Brutus and his companions were compelled to flee from Rome; many however, were incited to join their standard, not only by love of liberty, but hopes of plunder. [ 1913 Webster ]