titillation

[ tit-l-ey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of pleasantly exciting or arousing the senses, emotions, or imagination, often in a sexually suggestive way:

   We strongly condemn journalists who rely on sensationalism and titillation to sell newspapers.

   Elevating the soul through masterful titillation of the senses is what real cooking is all about.

Word History and Origins

Origin of titillation¹

First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin titillātiōn-, stem of titillātiō, equivalent to tītillāt(us) + -iō -ion ( def ); titillate ( def )

Example Sentences

When he shaved his signature mustache in 2001 — “on a whim,” he said — his viewership erupted in titillation.

From Washington Post

But the genius of George Carlin comes when you get past the titillation and shock value.

From The Daily Beast

But still gay sex scenes, always one-offs, provoked titillation and comment.

From The Daily Beast

You can experience the titillation of finishing something more than once every three to four years.

From The Daily Beast

But if viewers can enjoy the music and fashion without the extra titillation, it would be a start.

From The Daily Beast

In Live Nude Girl, the theme shows up as the place where the titillation of nudity meets high art.

From The Daily Beast

Persistent titillation of competition may be pleasant for a time, but its final results may be injurious.

From Project Gutenberg

Throughout the ride there was a ludicrous titillation of insecurity; but it was greatest at the start and at the finish.

From Project Gutenberg

He felt, as it were, the titillation of forming fat which spread slowly all over his body.

From Project Gutenberg

Such frequent titillation of delicate nervous mechanisms plays sad havoc with general nervous control.

From Project Gutenberg

Scaliger proposed to class titillation as a sixth, or separate, sense.

From Project Gutenberg