titillate

(tit'l āt′)

transitive verb titillated, titillating

  1. tickle
  2. to excite or stimulate pleasurably, often erotically

Origin: < L titillatus, pp. of titillare, to tickle

Related Forms:

See titillate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb tit·il·lat·ed, tit·il·lat·ing, tit·il·lates
verb, transitive
  1. To stimulate by touching lightly; tickle.
  2. To excite (another) pleasurably, superficially or erotically.
verb, intransitive
To excite another, especially in a superficial, pleasurable manner: “Once you decide to titillate instead of illuminate . . . you create a climate of expectation that requires a higher and higher level of intensity” (Bill Moyers).

Origin:

Origin: Latin tītillāre, tītillāt-, to tickle

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Related Forms:

  • titˈil·latˈer noun
  • titˈil·latˌing·ly adverb
  • titˌil·laˈtion noun
  • titˈil·laˌtive adjective

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