erethism

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun an abnormally high degree of irritability or sensitivity to stimulation of an organ or body part

From French éréthisme, from Ancient Greek ἐρεθισμός (erethismós), from ἐρεθίζειν (erethízein, “to irritate”).

Perhaps they expected to find no living things—certainly no intelligent living things.” “A shell in the pit,” said I, “if the worst comes to the worst, will kill them all.” The intense excitement of the events had no doubt left my perceptive powers in a state of erethism. — The war of the worlds, H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

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