irritant

n. [ From 2d Irritant. ] The state or quality of being irritant or irritating. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. irritant. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. That which irritates or excites. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Physiol. & Med.) Any agent by which irritation is produced; as, a chemical irritant; a mechanical or electrical irritant. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Toxicology) A poison that produces inflammation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Counter irritant. See under Counter. --
Pure irritant (Toxicology), a poison that produces inflammation without any corrosive action upon the tissues. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ LL. irritants, -antis, p. pr. of irritare to make null, fr. L. irritus void; pref. ir- not + ratus established. ] (Scots Law) Rendering null and void; conditionally invalidating. [ 1913 Webster ]

The states elected Harry, Duke of Anjou, for their king, with this clause irritant; that, if he did violate any part of his oath, the people should owe him no allegiance. Hayward. [ 1913 Webster ]