excitation

[ ek-sahy-tey-shuh n, -si- ]
/ ˌɛk saɪˈteɪ ʃən, -sɪ- /

noun

the act of exciting.
the state of being excited.
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.
Physics. a process in which a molecule, atom, nucleus, or particle is excited.
Also called drive. Electronics. the varying voltage applied to the control electrode of a vacuum tube.

Origin of excitation

1350–1400; Middle English excitacioun < Late Latin excitātiōn- (stem of excitātiō), equivalent to Latin excitāt(us) (past participle of excitāre; see excite) + -iōn- -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM excitation

pre·ex·ci·ta·tion, noun su·per·ex·ci·ta·tion, noun

Example sentences from the Web for excitation

British Dictionary definitions for excitation

excitation
/ (ˌɛksɪˈteɪʃən) /

noun

the act or process of exciting or state of being excited
a means of exciting or cause of excitement
  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
the action of a stimulus on an animal or plant organ, inducing it to respond

Medical definitions for excitation

excitation
[ ĕk′sī-tāshən ]

n.

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

Scientific definitions for excitation

excitation
[ ĕk′sī-tāshən ]

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.