Having or showing a tendency to be easily angered; quick-tempered and irritable. Characterized by a readiness to become angry over small matters.
From Latin 'irascibilis,' from 'irasci' (to be angry), from 'ira' (anger). The root 'ira' appears in 'ire' (anger). The suffix '-ible' means 'able to be,' so irascible literally means 'able to be angered' or quick to anger.
Think 'ir-ASS-ible'—someone who gets their 'ass' in gear to be angry really quickly! Or remember 'ira' (anger) + 'scible' (able), meaning 'able to be angered easily.' These people have a very short fuse and blow up over minor things.
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