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 ]

n. Full of exciting qualities; as, an exciteful story; exciteful players. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

pos>n. [ Cf. OF. excitement, escitement. ] 1. The act of exciting, or the state of being roused into action, or of having increased action; impulsion; agitation; as, an excitement of the people. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which excites or rouses; that which moves, stirs, or induces action; a motive. [ 1913 Webster ]

The cares and excitements of a season of transition and struggle. Talfowrd. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Physiol.) A state of aroused or increased vital activity in an organism, or any of its organs or tissues. [ 1913 Webster ]