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. Shaftesb., 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 astringent 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.
