titillation
(tɪtɪˈleɪʃən)
Also 5 tytul-, 6 titil-, 7 tittul-, 7–8 titul-.
[ad. L. titillātiōn-em, n. of action f. titillāre to titillate. Cf. F. titillation (14th c. in Hatz.-Darm.).
The form with -ul- occurs in med.Lat. (11th c.: see Du Cange). The OF. also had this spelling (Godef. Compl.).]
1. Excitation or stimulation of the mind or senses; esp. pleasing excitement, gratification.
| c 1425 St. Mary of Oignies ii. ii. in Anglia VIII. 154/18 Wheþer she felte any titillacione of veynglorye of mennys preisynges. 1491 Caxton Vitas Patr. (W. de W. 1495) i. xxxvi. 37/2 To resyste & wythstonde theyr tytulacyons and cauyllacyons as moche as we maye. 1598 Marston Met. Pygmal., Auth. in Prayse of prec. Poem, Crowne my head with Bayes, Which..wantonly displayes The Salaminian titilations. 1602 Campion Art Eng. Poesie ii. 5 The noble Grecians and Romaines..abandoning the childish titillation of riming. 1690 C. Nesse O. & N. Test. I. 45 Then arises an inward titillation or contemplative delight. 1762 Kames Elem. Crit. (1763) I. vii. 356 A certain sort of titillation, which is expressed externally by mirthful laughter. 1876 T. Hardy Ethelberta II. 29 More or less pervaded by thrills and titillations from games of hazard. |
2. A sensation of being tickled; a tingling, an itching.
| 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. i. i. ii. vi, The five senses, of touching, hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, to which you may add Scaliger's sixth sense of titillation if you please. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Titillation, is that sensation we have in any Part of the Body when tickled. 1816 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. xvi. (1818) II. 14 Thrips Physapus, the fly that causes us in hot weather such intolerable titillation. 1822–34 Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) III. 212 The sense of itching, which may be defined a painful titillation local or general, relieved by rubbing. 1855 Bain Senses & Int. ii. iv. §19 (1864) 287 A titillation of the throat is sometimes perceptible. |
3. The action of tickling, or touching lightly so as to tickle.
| 1623 Massinger Bondman i. ii, These bristles give the gentlest titillations. 1711 Shaftesbury Charac. (1737) II. ii. ii. ii. 152 Laughter provok'd by Titillation, grows an excessive Pain. 1872 Cohen Dis. Throat 25 If it cannot be retracted by titillation or astrigent applications, the exuberant portion must be clipped off. |
† 4. transf. A means of titillating. Obs. rare.
| 1606 Sir G. Goosecappe ii. i. in Bullen O. Pl. (1884) III. 40 Tis a pretty kinde of terme new come up in perfuming, which they call a Titillation. 1610 B. Jonson Alch. iv. iv, Your Spanish titillation in a gloue [is] The best perfume. |