Ir"ri*tant (?), a. [LL.
irritants, -antis, p. pr. of irritare to make
null, fr. L. irritus void; pref. ir- not + ratus
established.] (Scots Law) Rendering null and void;
conditionally invalidating.
The states elected Harry, Duke of Anjou, for their
king, with this clause irritant; that, if he did violate any
part of his oath, the people should owe him no
allegiance.
Hayward.
Ir"ri*tant, a. [L. irritans,
-antis, p. pr. of irritare: cf. F. irritant. See
Irritate to excite.] Irritating; producing irritation or
inflammation.
Ir"ri*tant, n. [Cf. F.
irritant.]
1. That which irritates or excites.
2. (Physiol. & Med.) Any agent by
which irritation is produced; as, a chemical irritant; a
mechanical or electrical irritant.
3. (Toxicology) A poison that produces
inflammation.
Counter irritant. See under
Counter. -- Pure irritant
(Toxicology), a poison that produces inflammation without
any corrosive action upon the tissues.
