Irascible
Adjective
Definition: Easily angered; prone to outbursts of anger; quick-tempered.
Synonyms: Irritable, Cranky, Hot-tempered, Short-tempered
Antonyms: Patient, Tolerant, Composed, Calm
- He had an irascible nature and would often snap at people over small matters.
- The irascible boss yelled at his employees for minor mistakes.
- "Irascible" sounds like "irate," which means extremely angry.
Etymology:
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:
"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:
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.