WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Ir"ri*tant
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [LL. irritants, -antis, p. pr. of irritare to make null, fr. L. irritus void; pref. ir- not + ratus established.] (Scots Law)
Definition : Defn: 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Ir"ri*tant
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [L. irritans, -antis, p. pr. of irritare: cf. F. irritant. See Irritate to excite.]
Definition : Defn: Irritating; producing irritation or inflammation.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Ir"ri*tant
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [Cf. F. irritant.]
Definition : 1. That which irritates or excites.

2. (Physiol. & Med.)

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

3. (Toxicology)

Defn: 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