Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Emotion
E-mo′tion
,Noun.
[L.
emovere
, emotum
, to remove, shake, stir up; e
out + movere
to move: cf. F. émotion
. See Move
, and cf. Emmove
.] A moving of the mind or soul; excitement of the feelings, whether pleasing or painful; disturbance or agitation of mind caused by a specific exciting cause and manifested by some sensible effect on the body.
How different the
emotions
between departure and return! W. Irving.
Syn. – Feeling; agitation; tremor; trepidation; perturbation; passion; excitement.
– Emotion
, Feeling
, Agitation
. Feeling is the weaker term, and may be of the body or the mind. Emotion is of the mind alone, being the excited action of some inward susceptibility or feeling; as, an
Agitation may be bodily or mental, and usually arises in the latter case from a vehement struggle between contending desires or emotions. See emotion
of pity, terror, etc. Passion
. “Agitations have but one character, viz., that of violence; emotions vary with the objects that awaken them. There are emotions either of tenderness or anger, either gentle or strong, either painful or pleasing.” Crabb.
Webster 1828 Edition
Emotion
EMO'TION
,Noun.
1.
Literally, a moving of the mind or soul; hence,any agitation of mind or excitement of sensibility.2.
In a philosophical sense, an internal motion or agitation of the mind which passes away without desire; when desire follows, the motion or agitation is called a passion.3.
Passion is the sensible effect, the feeling to which the mind is subjected,when an object of importance suddenly and imperiously demands its attention. The state of absolute passiveness, in consequence of any sudden percussion of mind, is of short duration. The strong impression, or vivid sensation, immediately produces a reaction correspondent to its nature, either to appropriate and enjoy, or avoid and repel the exciting cause. This reaction is very properly distinguished by the term emotion.Emotions therefore, according to the genuine signification of the word, are principally and primarily applicable to the sensible changes and visible effects, which particular passions produce on the frame, in consequence of this reaction, or particular agitation of mind.