irritable

(ir’i-ta-bl), a. [= F. irritable = Sp. The frequent dun ascend my lofty dome Importunate. Warton, Oxford Ale, p, 127. irritable = Pg. irritavel = It. irritabile, irritable 2. Susceptible to physical irritation; capable of being stimulated to action by external agency; liable to contract, shrink, become inflamed, ete., when excited or stimulated: as, writable nerves; an irritable wound.—8. Specifically, in physiol. and bot., po e ing the property of irritability. Strictly speaking, the glands ought to be called writable, as the term sensitive generally implies consciousne ; but no one supposes that the sensitive plant is conscious. Darwin, Insectiv. Plants, p. 19. 4. Responding quickly to a stimulus; sensitive; impre ible. One cannot help having an trritable brain, which rides an idea to the moon and home again, without stirrups, whilst some folks are getting the harne of words on to its back. J. H. Ewing, Dandelion Clocks. Our modern nerves, our irritable sympathies, our easy discomforts and fears, make one think (in some relations) le respectfully of human nature. H. James, Jr., Little Tour, p. 220, = 1. Pa ionate, etc. (see trascible); fretful, peevish.