Counter irritant. See under Counter. -- Pure irritant (Toxicology), a
poison that produces inflammation without any corrosive action upon the
tissues.
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.