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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Irritate \Ir"ri*tate\, a.
Excited; heightened. [Obs.]
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Irritate \Ir"ri*tate\, v. t. [See 1 st {Irritant}.]
To render null and void. [R.] --Abp. Bramhall.
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Irritate \Ir"ri*tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Irritated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Irritating}.] [L. irritatus, p. p. of irritare. Of
doubtful origin.]
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1. To increase the action or violence of; to heighten
excitement in; to intensify; to stimulate.
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Cold maketh the spirits vigorous and irritateth
them. --Bacon.
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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.
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Dismiss the man, nor irritate the god:
Prevent the rage of him who reigns above. --Pope.
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3. (Physiol.) To produce irritation in; to stimulate; to
cause to contract. See {Irritation}, n., 2.
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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.
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