IRRITANT


Meaning of IRRITANT in English

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

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.