a·rouse [? rówz] (past and past participle a·roused, present participle a·rous·ing, 3rd person present singular a·rous·es) verb 1. transitive verb stimulate something: to evoke a feeling, response, or desire aroused their interest 2. transitive verb stimulate sexual desire in somebody: to cause feelings of sexual desire in somebody 3. transitive verb annoy somebody: to make somebody angry 4. transitive and intransitive verb wake up: to wake up, or wake somebody up, from sleep or unconsciousness (formal) [Late 16th century. < rouse] -a·rous·al, noun