Irritate /(?)/

Ir·ri·tate

Irritate

v. t.
  1. To render null and void. [R.]

Irritate

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Irritated; p. pr. & vb. n. Irritating

  1. To increase the action or violence of; to heighten excitement in; to intensify; to stimulate.
    Cold maketh the spirits vigorous and irritateth them.
  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.
  3. To produce irritation in; to stimulate; to cause to contract. See Irritation, n., 2. (Physiol.)
  4. To make morbidly excitable, or oversensitive; to fret; as, the skin is irritated by friction; to irritate a wound by a coarse bandage. (Med.)
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

a.
  1. Excited; heightened. [Obs.]