| 释义 |
excitement|ɛkˈsaɪtmənt|
[f. excite v. + -ment. First used in sense 3 (= L. irritamentum) which is the only sense recognized by Johnson.]
1. The action of exciting; the fact of being excited; = excitation. Somewhat rare.
1830Herschel Stud. Nat. Phil. ii. ii. (1851) 89 The excitement and propagation of motion. 1840Mill Diss. & Disc. (1859) I. 116 note, Experience..must precede the excitement of any ideas in the mind.
2. Excited state or condition.
a. Path. A state of abnormal activity in any organ. † Also, in the ‘Brunonian’ physiology, the effects resulting from the presence of the vital principle in the organism.
1788J. Brown tr. Elem. Med. §16 The effect of the exciting powers, acting upon the excitability, is to be denominated Excitement [Latin 1780 Incitatio]. 1793Beddoes Consumption 148 Diseases of excitement on the one hand, and debility on the other. 1799Med. Jrnl. II. 452 The greatest degree of excitement, consistent with life, may be communicated by this agent [electric fluid]. 1801Ibid. V. 82 An addition..to that just degree of excitement which constitutes health.
b. Stimulation, titillation (of the senses).
1823Lamb Elia Ser. i. xxii, No possible taste or odour..can convey a delicate excitement comparable to this mixture.
c. In recent use: The condition of being mentally excited, whether by pleasurable or painful emotion. Cf. excite v. 5.
1846Trench Miracles vi. (1862) 185 Men in their thirst for excitement..have a kind of pleasure in being the bearers even of evil tidings. 1860Tyndall Glac. i. xxii. 152 He approached me with some excitement of manner. 1864J. H. Newman Apol. 156 The excitement it [Tractarianism] caused in England.
3. Something that excites; a means of exciting.
†a. Something that tends to excite (a feeling); a motive or incentive to action; an exhortation, encouragement. Obs. or arch.
1604Shakes. Ham. iv. iv. 58 (Qq.) A father kill'd, a mother stain'd, Excitements of my reason, and my blood. 1633May Hen. II, vii. 79 Excitements every where From Pulpits sounded in the peoples eare, To aid their brother-Christians. 1642Fuller Holy & Prof. St. ii. xvi. 112 Rather are diligent lads to be encouraged with all excitements to Learning. 1736Butler Anal. i. v. Wks. 1874 I. 89 Perception of danger is a natural excitement of passive fear, and active caution. 1741Warburton Div. Legat. ix. ii. (1846) 373 The General encouraging his followers, by all the usual excitements to do their duty. 1817Coleridge Lay Serm. 420 In any half dozen sermons of..Jeremy Taylor, there are..more excitements to inquiry..than are presented to the congregations of the present day..during twice as many months. 1858De Quincey Autobiog. Sk. Wks. I. 239 Each..had yet its own separate occasions and excitements.
b. In physical sense.
1862Darwin Fertiliz. Orchids iv. 153 I suspect that it does explode..without the excitement of a touch.
c. An occasion of mental excitement.
1878R. W. Dale Lect. Preach. vii. 186 Their knowledge brings them some noble excitements and satisfactions. |