titillate, v.
(ˈtɪtɪleɪt)
Also 8 titulate, titilate.
[f. L. titillāt-, ppl. stem of titillāre to tickle.]
1. trans. To excite or stimulate as by tickling; esp. to excite agreeably, gratify (the sense of taste, smell, or touch, the imagination); = tickle v. 3.
| 1620 Venner Via Recta vi. 92 It..exciteth the appetite, by corrugating the mouth of the stomacke, and titillating the pallate. 1706 S. Centlivre Love at Venture i, The elegance of my Fabric has titulated the imagination of many a fine Lady. 1799 Southey Snuff 2 A delicate pinch! oh how it tingles up The titillated nose. 1829 Macaulay Misc. Writ. (1860) I. 291 Not to titillate his palate but to keep up his character for hospitality. 1882 J. Parker Apost. Life I. 74 Your fancy has been titillated. |
2. To touch lightly; to irritate slightly; = tickle v. 4. Also absol.
| 1837 Dickens Pickw. x, The landlady..proceeded to vinegar the forehead, beat the hands, titillate the nose,..of the spinster aunt. 1872 Cohen Dis. Throat 7 If the epiglottis be titillated with the tip of the tongue-depressor. 1879 O. W. Holmes Motley xviii, The feathered end of his shaft titillates harmlessly enough. |