Irascible

Adjective

Definition: Easily angered; prone to outbursts of anger; quick-tempered.

Synonyms: Irritable, Cranky, Hot-tempered, Short-tempered

Antonyms: Patient, Tolerant, Composed, Calm

Examples:
  • He had an irascible nature and would often snap at people over small matters.
  • The irascible boss yelled at his employees for minor mistakes.
Mnemonics:
  • "Irascible" sounds like "irate," which means extremely angry.

Etymology:

Origin:

The word "irascible" comes from the Latin word "irascibilis," which means prone to anger.

Historical Usage:

The term has been used in English since the early 17th century to describe individuals with a quick and easily provoked temper.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Anger is the acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured."

Explanation:

This phrase emphasizes the corrosive nature of anger, which aligns with the temperament of someone who is irascible.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing "irascible" with "incorrigible."

Explanation:

While both words refer to negative personality traits, "irascible" specifically describes a tendency to become easily angered, while "incorrigible" refers to a person who cannot be corrected or reformed. They are not interchangeable.

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