arouse
UK: əˈraʊz | US: əˈraʊz
Definition
vt. to awaken from sleep
vt. to stir up or excite (a feeling or reaction)
vt. to provoke or stimulate (someone) into action
Structure
a <to, toward>rouse <awaken>a <to, toward>rouse <awaken>
Etymology
The word "arouse" combines the directional prefix a- (emphasizing action) with rouse, which originally meant "to shake awake" or "stir violently." Over time, rouse softened to mean general awakening, and arouse expanded metaphorically to include emotional or mental stimulation. The logic traces back to physical awakening → emotional provocation → broader activation.
Examples
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