irritation definition | Dictionary.com

ir⋅ri⋅ta⋅tion

[ir-i-tey-shuh

–noun

1.	the act of irritating or the state of being irritated.

2.	something that irritates.

Physiology, Pathology.

a.	the bringing of a bodily part or organ to an abnormally excited or sensitive condition.

b.	the condition itself.

Origin:
1580–90; < L irrītātiōn- (s. of irrītātiō). See irritate, -ion

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Cite This Source

Language Translation for : irritation

Spanish:

molestia,

German:

das Ärgernis,

Japanese:

うるさがらせるもの

View 30 other languages »

Sponsored Links Alzheimer’s Foundation
Reach Out for Care, Resources National network www.alzfdn.org
alzfdn.org

Causes of Itching
Learn about the Causes and Treatments for Itching.
HealthProblemsWebsite.info

ir·ri·ta·tion (ĭr'ĭ-tā'shən) Pronunciation Key
n.

1. The act of irritating.
2. The condition of being irritated; vexation: honked the horn with irritation at the delay.
A source of irritation.
Pathology A condition of inflammation, soreness, or irritability of a bodily organ or part.
Physiology The elicitation of activity or response in an animal or plant organ or tissue.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

irritation
noun
1.	the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
2.	a sudden outburst of anger; "his temper sparked like damp firewood" [syn: pique]
3.	(pathology) abnormal sensitivity to stimulation; "any food produced irritation of the stomach"
4.	the neural or electrical arousal of an organ or muscle or gland [syn: excitation]
5.	an uncomfortable feeling of mental painfulness or distress [syn: discomfort]
6.	unfriendly behavior that causes anger or resentment [syn: aggravation]
7.	the act of troubling or annoying someone [syn: annoyance]

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Cite This Source

Irritation

Ir`ri*ta*bil"i*ty\, n. [L. irritabilitas: cf. F. irritabilit['e].]

1. The state or quality of being irritable; quick excitability; petulance; fretfulness; as, irritability of temper.

2. (Physiol.) A natural susceptibility, characteristic of all living organisms, tissues, and cells, to the influence of certain stimuli, response being manifested in a variety of ways, -- as that quality in plants by which they exhibit motion under suitable stimulation; esp., the property which living muscle processes, of responding either to a direct stimulus of its substance, or to the stimulating influence of its nerve fibers, the response being indicated by a change of form, or contraction; contractility.

3. (Med.) A condition of morbid excitability of an organ or part of the body; undue susceptibility to the influence of stimuli. See Irritation, n., 3.

Search another word or see irritation on Thesaurus | Reference | Translate

Sponsored Links Alzheimer’s Foundation
Reach Out for Care, Resources National network www.alzfdn.org
alzfdn.org

Causes of Itching
Learn about the Causes and Treatments for Itching.
HealthProblemsWebsite.info

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Link to Us · Report Ad · Contact Us

Get your FREE Subscription to Dictionary.com Word of the Day