excitatory
|ex-cit-a-to-ry|
🇺🇸
/ɪkˈsaɪtətɔːri/
🇬🇧
/ɪkˈsaɪtətəri/
causing excitation/activation
Etymology
'excitatory' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'excitare', where 'ex-' meant 'out' and 'citare' meant 'to call, rouse'. The English adjective is formed with the suffix '-atory' (via Latin '-ator' + English adjectival suffix).
'excitare' passed into Old French as 'exciter' and then into Middle English as 'exciten' or 'excite'; the Modern English verb 'excite' developed from these forms, and the adjective 'excitatory' was later formed in English from 'excite' + the adjectival suffix '-atory'.
Initially related to 'calling out' or 'rousing' (literal sense of arousal), it has evolved to the current meanings of 'causing excitement or stimulation', especially in physiological contexts meaning 'promoting neural or muscular excitation'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
tending to cause excitation or stimulation; in physiology, producing or increasing the likelihood of action potentials in neurons or activity in muscle.
The drug has excitatory effects on the central nervous system.
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Adjective 2
causing excitement, enthusiasm, or increased interest (general use).
They experienced an excitatory reaction to the news of the discovery.
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Last updated: 2025/09/22 19:50