2 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Irritate \Ir"ri*tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Irritated}; p. pr &
vb n. {Irritating}.] [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.) To produce irritation in to stimulate; to
cause to contract. See {Irritation}, n., 2.
4. (Med.) 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.
Usage: 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.
From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]:
irritating
adj 1: causing irritation or annoyance; "tapping an annoying rhythm
on his glass with his fork"; "aircraft noise is
particularly bothersome near the airport"; "found it
galling to have to ask permission"; "an irritating
delay"; "nettlesome paperwork"; "a pesky mosquito";
"swarms of pestering gnats"; "a plaguey newfangled
safety catch"; "a teasing and persistent thought
annoyed him"; "a vexatious child"; "it is vexing to
have to admit you are wrong" [syn: {annoying}, {bothersome},
{galling}, {nettlesome}, {pesky}, {pestering}, {pestiferous},
{plaguy}, {plaguey}, {teasing}, {vexatious}, {vexing}]
2: (used of physical stimuli) serving to stimulate or excite;
"an irritative agent" [syn: {irritative}]
3: causing physical discomfort; "bites of black flies are more
than irritating; they can be very painful" [syn: {painful}]
more about irritating
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