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Excitability: meaning, definitions and examples

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excitability

 

[ ɪkˈsaɪtəˌbɪləti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

emotional response

Excitability refers to the ability of an organism to respond to stimuli with an emotional or physiological reaction. It is a key characteristic often observed in biological systems and can indicate heightened emotional states. In psychological contexts, it relates to how sensitive individuals are to emotional or external stimuli.

Synonyms

hyperactivity, sensitiveness, stimulation

Examples of usage

  • Her excitability makes her a great performer.
  • Children exhibit a high level of excitability when sugar is involved.
  • The excitability of certain muscles can affect physical performance.

Translations

Translations of the word "excitability" in other languages:

🇵🇹 excitabilidade

🇮🇳 उत्तेजकता

🇩🇪 Erregbarkeit

🇮🇩 ekscitabilitas

🇺🇦 збудливість

🇵🇱 pobudliwość

🇯🇵 興奮性

🇫🇷 excitabilité

🇪🇸 excitabilidad

🇹🇷 uyarıcılık

🇰🇷 흥분성

🇸🇦 استثارة

🇨🇿 vzrušivost

🇸🇰 vzrušivosť

🇨🇳 兴奋性

🇸🇮 vzburjenje

🇮🇸 örvandi

🇰🇿 қозғыштық

🇬🇪 აღელვებადობა

🇦🇿 həyəcanlılıq

🇲🇽 excitabilidad

Etymology

The word 'excitability' originates from the Latin 'excitare,' which means 'to stir up' or 'to call out.' It was formed in the late 19th century by combining 'excitable,' which describes something that can be easily excited or agitated, with the suffix '-ity' that denotes a state or condition. The concept applies across various fields, including biology, psychology, and physiology, to describe the characteristic of responding to stimuli. As scientific understanding evolved, especially in physiology concerning muscle and nerve function, the term became increasingly utilized in both medical and psychological literature. Its relevance remains significant today, particularly in discussions surrounding emotional regulation and behavioral responses.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,369, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.