DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
Ir·ri·tate, 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. --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.
Usage: -- 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.
irritated
adj 1: feeling inflammation or other discomfort (especially in a
part of the body)
2: aroused to impatience or anger; "made an irritated gesture";
"feeling nettled from the constant teasing"; "peeved about
being left out"; "felt really pissed at her snootiness";
"riled no end by his lies"; "roiled by the delay" [syn: annoyed,
miffed, nettled, peeved, pissed, pissed off, riled,
roiled, steamed, stunng]