Enthuse with final quote from former partner (6)

I believe the answer is:

excite

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'enthuse with final quote' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'former partner' is the wordplay.
'former' becomes 'ex'.
'partner' becomes 'cite' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ex'+'cite'='EXCITE'

'from' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for excite that I've seen before include "Arouse, make eager" , "Turn on" , "Elicit enthusiasm" , "Create enthusiasm" , "fire" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and the Irish Times.

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