IRRITANT

irritant, thorn

(noun) something that causes irritation and annoyance; “he’s a thorn in my flesh”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

irritant (not comparable)

Causing irritation or inflammation.

(legal, Scotland) Rendering null and void; conditionally invalidating.

Noun

irritant (plural irritants)

Any medication designed to cause irritation

A source of irritation.

Source: Wiktionary


Ir"ri*tant, a. Etym: [LL. irritants, -antis, p. pr. of irritare to make null, fr. L. irritus void; pref. ir- not + ratus established.] (Scots Law)

Definition: Rendering null and void; conditionally invalidating. The states elected Harry, Duke of Anjou, for their king, with this clause irritant; that, if he did violate any part of his oath, the people should owe him no allegiance. Hayward.

Ir"ri*tant, a. Etym: [L. irritans, -antis, p. pr. of irritare: cf. F. irritant. See Irritate to excite.]

Definition: Irritating; producing irritation or inflammation.

Ir"ri*tant, n. Etym: [Cf. F. irritant.]

1. That which irritates or excites.

2. (Physiol. & Med.)

Definition: Any agent by which irritation is produced; as, a chemical irritant; a mechanical or electrical irritant.

3. (Toxicology)

Definition: A poison that produces inflammation. Counter irritant. See under Counter.

– Pure irritant (Toxicology), a poison that produces inflammation without any corrosive action upon the tissues.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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In 1884, Angelo Moriondo of Turin, Italy, demonstrated the first working example of an espresso machine.

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