Irritability

Definition of Irritability

Ir`ri`ta`bil´i`ty

n.	1.
	1.	The state or quality of being irritable; quick excitability; petulance; fretfulness; as, irritability of temper.
	2.	(Physiol.) A natural susceptibility, characteristic of all living organisms, tissues, and cells, to the influence of certain stimuli, response being manifested in a variety of ways, - as that quality in plants by which they exhibit motion under suitable stimulation; esp., the property which living muscle possesses, of responding either to a direct stimulus of its substance, or to the stimulating influence of its nerve fibers, the response being indicated by a change of form, or contraction; contractility.
	3.	(Med.) A condition of morbid excitability of an organ or part of the body; undue susceptibility to the influence of stimuli. See Irritation, n., 3.

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