excitation

[ek-sahy-tey-shuh n, -si-] /ˌɛk saɪˈteɪ ʃən, -sɪ-/
noun
1.
the act of exciting.
2.
the state of being excited.
3.
Electricity.
  1. the application of voltage to an electric device, as an electron-tube circuit, an antenna, or a dynamotor, often for producing a magnetic field in the device.
  2. the voltage applied.
4.
Physics. a process in which a molecule, atom, nucleus, or particle is excited.
5.
Also called drive. Electronics. the varying voltage applied to the control electrode of a vacuum tube.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English excitacioun < Late Latin excitātiōn- (stem of excitātiō), equivalent to Latin excitāt(us) (past participle of excitāre; see excite) + -iōn- -ion
Related forms
preexcitation, noun
superexcitation, noun
Examples from the web for excitation
  • Cocaine dampens the excitation of nerve endings and the transmission of information along nervous pathways.
  • The resulting cellular excitation causes neurons to fire excessively.
British Dictionary definitions for excitation

excitation

/ˌɛksɪˈteɪʃən/
noun
1.
the act or process of exciting or state of being excited
2.
a means of exciting or cause of excitement
3.
  1. the current in a field coil of a generator, motor, etc, or the magnetizing current in a transformer
  2. (as modifier): an excitation current
4.
the action of a stimulus on an animal or plant organ, inducing it to respond
Word Origin and History for excitation
n.

late 14c., from Old French excitation, from Latin excitationem (nominative excitatio), noun of action from past participle stem of excitare (see excite).

excitation in Medicine

excitation ex·ci·ta·tion (ěk'sī-tā'shən)
n.

  1. The act of increasing the rapidity or intensity of the physical or mental processes; stimulation.

  2. The complete, all-or-none response of a nerve or muscle to an adequate stimulus, ordinarily including propagation of excitation along the membranes of the cell or cells involved.

excitation in Science
excitation
  (ěk'sī-tā'shən)   
The activity produced in an organ, tissue, or cell of the body that is caused by stimulation, especially by a nerve or neuron. Compare inhibition.