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.