IRRITATE
Ir"ri*tate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Irritated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Irritating.] Etym: [L. irritatus, p. p. of irritare. Of doubtful
origin.]
1. To increase the action or violence of; to heighten excitement in; to intensify; to stimulate. Cold maketh the spirits vigorous and irritateth them. Bacon.
2. To excite anger or displeasure in; to provoke; to tease; to exasperate; to annoy; to vex; as, the insolence of a tyrant irritates his subjects. Dismiss the man, nor irritate the god: Prevent the rage of him who reigns above. Pope.
3. (Physiol.)
Defn: To produce irritation in; to stimulate; to cause to contract.
See Irritation, n., 2.
4. (Med.)
Defn: To make morbidly excitable, or oversensitive; to fret; as, the skin is irritated by friction; to irritate a wound by a coarse bandage.
Syn. — To fret; inflame; excite; provoke; tease; vex; exasperate; anger; incense; enrage. — To Irritate, Provoke, Exasperate. These words express different stages of excited or angry feeling. Irritate denotes an excitement of quick and slightly angry feeling which is only momentary; as, irritated by a hasty remark. To provoke implies the awakening of some open expression of decided anger; as, a provoking insult. Exasperate denotes a provoking of anger at something unendurable. Whatever comes across our feelings irritates; whatever excites anger provokes; whatever raises anger to a high point exasperates. "Susceptible and nervous people are most easily irritated; proud people are quickly provoked; hot and fiery people are soonest exasperated." Crabb.
IRRITATE
Ir"ri*tate, a.
Defn: Excited; heightened. [Obs.]