irritation

[ir-i-tey-shuh n] /ˌɪr ɪˈteɪ ʃən/
noun
1.
the act of irritating or the state of being irritated.
2.
something that irritates.
3.
Physiology, Pathology.
  1. the bringing of a bodily part or organ to an abnormally excited or sensitive condition.
  2. the condition itself.
Origin
1580-90; < Latin irrītātiōn- (stem of irrītātiō). See irritate, -ion
Can be confused
aggravation, annoyance, intensification, irritation, worsening.
Examples from the web for irritation
  • All the time he had been in a state of ill-concealed irritation at the noise of the vivisected puma.
  • The leaves can cause irritation, so protect your skin.
  • The plant's fuzzy hairs can cause a skin irritation in some susceptible people.
  • Whether it's successful or not, its expression of perpetual irritation will never change.
  • Inhaling these particulates can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.
  • Contact with pepper spray causes eye irritation and may cause skin rash in humans.
  • Nylon has never felt so natural against your skin, and seamless construction prevents irritation.
  • Synthetic pesticides can affect the nervous system or cause skin and eye irritation.
  • In one drug trial, some of the patients receiving a placebo were told they might experience gastrointestinal irritation.
  • Unlisted ingredients are often polluting to the environment and can cause irritation and illness to the home's inhabitants.
British Dictionary definitions for irritation

irritation

/ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən/
noun
1.
something that irritates
2.
the act of irritating or the condition of being irritated
Derived Forms
irritative, adjective
Word Origin and History for irritation
n.

early 15c., in reference to sores and morbid swelling, from Middle French irritation or directly from Latin irritationem (nominative irritatio) "incitement, irritation," noun of action from past participle stem of irritare (see irritate).

irritation in Medicine

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

  1. Extreme incipient inflammatory reaction of the body tissues to an injury.

  2. The normal response of a nerve or muscle to a stimulus.

  3. The evocation of a reaction in the body tissues by the application of a stimulus.