Ir"ri*tate (?), v. t. [See 1 st
Irritant.] To render null and void. [R.] Abp.
Bramhall.
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. -- 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.
Ir"ri*tate (?), a. Excited;
heightened. [Obs.]
