I. -ənt, - ə nt adjective
Etymology: Middle French, from Late Latin irritant-, irritans, present participle of irritare to invalidate, from Latin irritus invalid, from in- in- (I) + -ritus (from ratus valid, from past participle of reri to reckon, calculate) — more at reason
: making null and void — compare irritant clause
II. adjective
Etymology: French, from Middle French, from Latin irritant-, irritans present participle of irritare to irritate, provoke — more at irritate
: irritating ; specifically : tending to produce irritation or inflammation
III. noun
( -s )
: something that irritates or excites ; specifically : an agent by which irritation is produced
a chemical irritant