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exasperate1 definition

ex·as·per·ate (eg zas′pər āt′, ig-)

transitive verb exasperated -·at′ed, exasperating -·at′·ing

  1. to irritate or annoy very much; make angry; vex
  2. Archaic to intensify (a feeling, disease, etc.); aggravate

Etymology: < L exasperatus, pp. of exasperare < ex-, out, from + asperare, to roughen < asper, rough: see asperity

exasperate2 definition

ex·as·per·ate (eg zas′pər it, -āt′)

adjective

  1. Archaic exasperated
  2. Bot. having rough and prickly skin

Etymology: < L exasperatus: see exasperate

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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