Definition of: excite

(ik·sīt′) v.t. ·cit·ed, ·cit·ing
1. To arouse (a feeling, interest, etc.) into being or activity; evoke: to excite admiration or jealousy.
2. To arouse feeling in; stimulate the emotions of: to excite someone to hatred.
3. To cause action in; stir to activity or motion: Wine excites the tongue.
4. To bring about; stir up: to excite a riot.
5. Physiol. To cause increased activity in; stimulate (muscles or nerves).
6. Electr. To initiate or develop a magnetic field in, as a dynamo.
7. Physics To raise an atom or molecule to a higher energy or quantum state, as by heat, radiation, or electron bombardment. See synonyms under ACTUATE, ENCOURAGE, INFLUENCE, INTEREST, PROMOTE, STIR. [<OF exciter <L excitare, freq. of exciere <ex- out + ciere arouse, stir up]
—ex·cit′ed adjective
—ex·cit′ed·ly adverb