arousable

Arousable is an adjective meaning capable of being aroused or awakened. In scientific and clinical contexts, it describes a state or system that can transition from a resting or unaroused condition to an activated one when appropriate stimuli are applied. The term is used to discuss both physiological and psychological potential for arousal, including sexual arousal as well as general sensory or neural activation.

In physiology and neuroscience, arousable properties are often analyzed in terms of arousal thresholds or readiness. An arousable neural circuit, for example, is one that can shift to heightened activity in response to specific inputs. In psychology and sleep research, the concept helps describe how easily an organism can be awakened or how readily stimuli can provoke an arousal response.

In clinical or research settings, arousable may refer to humans or animals that respond to sensory, emotional, or cognitive cues. It is important to distinguish arousable from aroused: arousable denotes capacity or potential, whereas aroused indicates the current state of activation. The term is neutral and descriptive, commonly found in medical notes, experimental designs, and discussions of sensory processing or sexual health.

Etymology-wise, arousable is formed from the verb arouse plus the suffix -able, indicating capability. While the word occurs more frequently in technical literature than in everyday speech, it remains a standard descriptor for systems or individuals with demonstrable potential for arousal.