Irritate — Defs

01 v. t. To render null and void.

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

02 v. t. To increase the action or violence of; to heighten excitement in; to intensify; to stimulate.

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.” — 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.
To produce irritation in; to stimulate; to cause to contract. See Irritation, n., 2.(Physiol.) See: Irritation
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.

03 a. Excited; heightened.

1.
Excited; heightened.[Obs.]