Excites

Excites is the third-person singular present tense of the verb excite. In general English usage, to excite means to cause strong feelings, interest, or activity in someone, or to arouse enthusiasm or prompt action. Examples include “The prospect excites investors” and “The story excites curiosity.” It can also mean to provoke strong emotions such as suspicion or anger.

Etymology: The word derives from Old French exciter, from Latin excitare, formed from ex- “out” + citare “to stir up.”

Scientific senses: In science, to excite often means to raise a system to a higher energy level. In physics and chemistry, an electron is excited by energy input and resides in an excited state; the energy required is called the excitation energy. In neuroscience, excitation refers to depolarization of neurons, and excitatory neurotransmitters such as glutamate produce excitation.

Grammatical notes: Excites has the forms excited (past tense and participle) and exciting (present participle). Related nouns include excitement and excitability; adjectives include excited and exciting. In engineering, an exciter is a device that provides energy to start a system, such as the generator’s exciter.

Usage: The term is common in journalism, science, and everyday speech. Use precise language: for example, “excites interest” rather than “excites people” when the subject is unknown; distinguish physical excitation from metaphorical arousal.