titiller

titillate, tickle, tease

verb tee-tee-LEH Rare

Origin: Latin 'titillare' (to tickle)

Usage Note

Titiller can be used literally (to tickle lightly) but is mostly figurative in modern French: titiller la curiosité ('to pique curiosity'). It has a slightly playful or ironic register. The related noun titillation means 'titillation, tickling'.

Examples

"Cette idée titille ma curiosité."

Natural Translation

That idea piques my curiosity.

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