In the past George eagerly excited (4)
I believe the answer is:
agog
'eagerly excited' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'in the past george' is the wordplay.
'in the past' becomes 'ago' (synonyms).
'george' becomes 'g'.
'ago'+'g'='AGOG'
(Other definitions for agog that I've seen before include "Expectant, eager" , "Very eager (to hear/see)" , "On tenterhooks" , "with eyes on stalks" , "Eagerly awaiting" .)