excitant

[ ik-sahyt-nt, ek-si-tuhnt ]

adjective

1. exciting; excite; stimulating.

noun

1. Physiology. something that excites; a stimulant.

excitant

/ ˈɛksɪtənt; ɪkˈsaɪtənt /

adjective

1. able to excite or stimulate

noun

1. something, such as a drug or other agent, able to excite; stimulant

Word History and Origins

Origin of excitant¹

1600–10; < Latin excitant- (stem of excitāns ), present participle of excitāre. See excite, -ant

Example Sentences

Such action may be inhibitory or excitant, according to the views of the one or the other author, without affecting the main question as above stated.

From Project Gutenberg

The excitant is a dilute solution of sulphuric acid.

From Project Gutenberg

The Ainu are gentle and mild by nature, but, like all ignorant people, they are extremely superstitious, and superstition is a powerful excitant.

From Project Gutenberg

These have in their medicine-chests the most powerful excitants, which might give a shock even to a man half-dead: they can deafen you, intoxicate you, make you shudder, or bring tears to your eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

Some nerve excitants known to you act slowly, others quickly; why not others still instantaneously?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• desire
• feeling
• inclination
• influence
• instinct
• motivation
• motive
• notion
• passion
• thought
• whim
• wish