arouse

verb

1. 1

   To stimulate or induce (feelings); pique.

   to arouse compassion, jealousy, or anger

   Those insults aroused me to anger.

   “My tastes,” he said, still smiling, “incline me to the garishly sunlit side of this planet.” And, to tease her and arouse her to combat: “I prefer a farandole to a nocturne ; I'd rather have a painting than an etching ; Mr. Whistler bores me with his monochromatic mud; I don't like dull colours, dull sounds, dull intellects;[…].”

   She removed Stranleigh’s coat with a dexterity that aroused his imagination.

2. 2

   To sexually stimulate.

   […] grinding against their partners like burlesque performers, which even in parody Terry found erotic—reminding him of the Persian belly dancer he'd seen at the college, whose sensual dancing aroused him despite her claim of high art.

3. 3

   To sexually stimulate. To cause an erection of the penis or other physical signs of sexual arousal, such as fluid secretion.

   I can't wear wool underwear: it tends to arouse me at inappropriate times.

4. 4

   To wake from sleep or stupor; to rouse.

   He kenned not whether it was devil or mortal, but flung himself on the roadside and lay like a corp for an hour or more, till the rain aroused him.

   1996, Beruga (line translated by Dan Owsen), Terranigma. Nintendo of America. I have no idea who you are, but I thank you for arousing me.

Forms

past tense

aroused

past participle

aroused

present participle

arousing

third person singular

arouses