Excitements

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A state of feeling thrilled or elated, often resulting from a stimulating experience or event
2. The heightened emotional response triggered by events that raise anticipation or enthusiasm
3. Moments or situations that provoke strong feelings of joy or eagerness, often leading to an adrenaline rush

Etymology: "Excitements" is simply the plural of "excitement", which came into Middle English from Old French, where it was formed from "exciter" (to excite) and the suffix "-ment", which turns a verb into a noun for an action, state or result. The underlying verb traces back to Latin "excitare", meaning to rouse, call forth or stir up, built from "ex-" (out) and "citare" (to set in motion, summon). The plural is used for separate instances of that stirred-up feeling, as in a day full of small excitements, rather than for the general state itself. Its meaning has stayed close to the original sense of being roused into activity, though in English the word now usually describes a pleasant or eager agitation of the mind rather than any outward stirring.

Synonyms: thrills, exhilarations

Antonyms: boredom, apathy