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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Excite \Ex*cite"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Excited}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {exciting}.] [L. excitare; ex out citare to move
rapidly, to rouse: cf. OF. esciter, exciter, F. exciter. See
{Cite}.]
1. To call to activity in any way; to rouse to feeling; to
kindle to passionate emotion; to stir up to combined or
general activity; as, to excite a person, the spirits, the
passions; to excite a mutiny or insurrection; to excite
heat by friction.
[1913 Webster]

2. (Physiol.) To call forth or increase the vital activity of
an organism, or any of its parts.

3. (Elec.) To energize (an electro-magnet); to produce a
magnetic field in; as, to excite a dynamo.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

4. (Physics) To raise to a higher energy level; -- used
especially of atoms or molecules, or of electrons within
atoms or molecules; as, absorption of a photon excites the
cesium atom, which subsequently radiates the excess
energy.
[Webster 1913 Suppl. PJC]

Syn: To incite; awaken; animate; rouse or arouse; stimulate;
inflame; irritate; provoke.

Usage: To {Excite}, {Incite}. When we excite we rouse into
action feelings which were less strong; when we incite
we spur on or urge forward to a specific act or end.
Demosthenes excited the passions of the Athenians
against Philip, and thus incited the whole nation to
unite in the war against him. Antony, by his speech
over the body of C[ae]sar, so excited the feelings of
the populace, that Brutus and his companions were
compelled to flee from Rome; many however, were
incited to join their standard, not only by love of
liberty, but hopes of plunder.
[1913 Webster]