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Irritate

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to annoy

Where does the word "irritate" come from? It comes from Latin irritare, adopted directly into English (1530s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
irritare
Latin · ancient
"to excite, provoke"
origin uncertain
2
Stage 2 of 2
irritate
English · 1530s
"to provoke"
'irritating' as annoying dates from the 1700s
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Irritate’s story begins in Latin: irritare meant “to excite, provoke.” Origin uncertain. It reached English by 1530s as irritate. 'irritating' as annoying dates from the 1700s. Today, irritate means to annoy.