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

British Dictionary definitions for preexcitation

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 preexcitation (1 of 2)

preexcitation
[ prē′ĕk-sī-tāshən ]

n.

Premature activation of part of the ventricular myocardium by an impulse that travels by an anomalous path and so avoids physiological delay in the atrioventricular junction.

Medical definitions for preexcitation (2 of 2)

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 preexcitation

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.