ir´ri|tat´ing|ly

ir´ri|tat´ing|ly: ir|ri|tate «IHR uh tayt», transitive verb, -tat|ed, -tat|ing.

1. to make impatient or angry; annoy; provoke; vex: »The boy's foolish questions irritated his mother. Flies irritate horses.

2. to make (a part of the body) more sensitive than is natural or normal: »Sunburn irritates the skin.

3. Biology. to stimulate (as an organ, muscle, or tissue) to respond: »A muscle contracts when it is irritated by an electric shock.

╂[< Latin irrītāre (with English -ate¹) excite, provoke]

–ir´ri|tat´ing|ly, adverb.

–ir´ri|ta´tor, noun.

Synonym Study 1 Irritate, exasperate, provoke mean to excite to impatience or anger. Irritate suggests annoying a person until he loses patience or flares up in anger: »Her untidiness irritates me.
Exasperate suggests annoying someone beyond endurance or self-control: »His constant cheating exasperates me.
Provoke suggests annoying someone into strong anger or disgust: »Their constant interruptions provoke me.

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pal´pi|tat´ing|ly — pal|pi|tate «PAL puh tayt», intransitive verb, tat|ed, tat|ing. 1. to beat very rapidly, irregularly, or strongly: »Your heart palpitates when you are excited. SYNONYM(S): throb. 2. to quiver; … Useful english dictionary
dev´|as|tat´ing|ly — dev|as|tat|ing «DEHV uh STAY tihng», adjective. 1. causing widespread destruction: »The first blow will be so devastating as to be decisive (Bulletin of Atomic Scientists). 2. Figurative. effectively sarcastic, trenchant, or deflating: »The… … Useful english dictionary
dev|as|tat|ing — «DEHV uh STAY tihng», adjective. 1. causing widespread destruction: »The first blow will be so devastating as to be decisive (Bulletin of Atomic Scientists). 2. Figurative. effectively sarcastic, trenchant, or deflating: »The devastating analysis … Useful english dictionary
hes´i|tat´ing|ly — hes|i|tat|ing «HEHZ uh TAY tihng», adjective. that hesitates. –hes´i|tat´ing|ly, adverb … Useful english dictionary
hes|i|tat|ing — «HEHZ uh TAY tihng», adjective. that hesitates. –hes´i|tat´ing|ly, adverb … Useful english dictionary
un|hes´i|tat´ing|ly — un|hes|i|tat|ing «uhn HEHZ uh TAY tihng», adjective. prompt; ready. –un|hes´i|tat´ing|ly, adverb … Useful english dictionary
un|hes|i|tat|ing — «uhn HEHZ uh TAY tihng», adjective. prompt; ready. –un|hes´i|tat´ing|ly, adverb … Useful english dictionary
dic|tat|ing machine — «DIHK tay tihng, dihk TAY », a machine for taking dictation … Useful english dictionary
nic|tat|ing membrane — «NIHK tay tihng», = nictitating membrane. (Cf. ↑nictitating membrane) … Useful english dictionary
nic|ti|tat|ing membrane — «NIHK tuh TAY tihng», a transparent inner eyelid present in birds and many reptiles that can draw over the eye to protect and moisten it … Useful english dictionary

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ir´ri|tat´ing|ly

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