Etymology Map
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Excite

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to cause strong feelings of enthusiasm

Where does the word "excite" come from? It comes from Latin excitare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
excitare
Latin · ancient
"to rouse, call out"
'ex-' plus 'citare', to set in motion
2
Stage 2 of 3
exciter
Old French · medieval
"to rouse"
Latin 'excitare' meant to call out or summon forth; the emotional sense 'to agitate' dates only from 1821
3
Stage 3 of 3
excite
English · 1300s
"to stir up"
'exciting' as thrilling dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Excite’s story begins in Latin: excitare meant “to rouse, call out.” 'ex-' plus 'citare', to set in motion. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as exciter. Latin 'excitare' meant to call out or summon forth; the emotional sense 'to agitate' dates only from 1821. It reached English by 1300s as excite. 'exciting' as thrilling dates from the 1800s. Today, excite means to cause strong feelings of enthusiasm.