Excitability

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The characteristic of being prone to emotional arousal and spontaneous reactions leads to increased sensitivity to stimuli
2. A tendency to show strong emotional or physical responses to various triggers indicates a person's level of responsiveness
3. A trait marked by heightened emotional responsiveness and the propensity for rapid reactions to stimuli illustrates a person's sensitivity level

Etymology: "Excitability" is built from "excite" and the suffix "-ability", which together describe a capacity to be roused or stirred up. The first half comes from Latin "excitare", meaning to rouse, call forth or stir up, formed from "ex-" (out) and "citare" (to set in motion). The suffix traces a longer route: it descends from Latin "-abilitas", which English took through Middle French "-abilité" and Middle English "-ablete" before settling into the modern "-ability" form. Its meaning follows the verb closely. Where "excite" can mean to stir someone to action or feeling, the noun names the quality of being easily stirred, so the word describes a temperament rather than a single moment of arousal. That is why it can describe a person's sensitivity to stimuli as a standing trait.

Synonyms: sensitivity, emotionality, reactivity, nervousness, agitation

Antonyms: calmness, composure, serenity, tranquility, placidity