ɪkˈsaɪt v.tr. 1 a
rouse the feelings or emotions of (a person). b
bring into play; rouse up (feelings, faculties, etc.). c
arouse sexually. 2
provoke; bring
about (an
action or
active condition). 3
promote the
activity of (an
organism,
tissue, etc.) by
stimulus. 4 Electr. a
cause (a current) to
flow in the
winding of an
electromagnet. b supply a signal. 5
Physics a cause the
emission of (a spectrum). b cause (a substance) to
emit radiation. c put (an
atom etc.) into a
state of higher
energy. øøexcitant adj. & n. excitative adj. excitatory adj. excitedly adv. excitedness n. excitement n. exciter n. (esp. in senses 4, 5). [ME f. OF exciter or L excitare
frequent. of exciere (as
EX-(1), ciere set in motion)]