Stimulated to action or strong feeling; awakened from sleep or inactivity. Can refer to emotional excitement, sexual stimulation, or general alertness and engagement.
From 'arouse' (from Middle English 'arousen', formed by combining 'a-' prefix with 'rouse', from Old French 'reuser') plus past participle suffix '-ed'. The word originally meant simply 'to wake up' but developed broader meanings of stimulation and excitement.
The physiological state of arousal involves activation of the sympathetic nervous system, increasing heart rate, alertness, and sensory sensitivity. This same biological mechanism underlies everything from fear responses to romantic attraction, showing how our bodies prepare for significant experiences regardless of their nature.
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