counterirritant

American  

[koun-ter-ir-i-tuhnt] / ˌkaʊn tərˈɪr ɪ tənt /

noun

1. Medicine/Medical. an agent for producing inflammation in superficial tissues to relieve pain or inflammation in deeper structures.

2. any irritation or annoyance that draws attention away from another.

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adjective

1. Medicine/Medical. of or acting as a counterirritant.

counterirritant British  

/ ˌkaʊntərˈɪrɪtənt /

noun

1. an agent that causes a superficial irritation of the skin and thereby relieves inflammation of deep structures

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adjective

1. producing a counterirritation

Other Word Forms

• counterirritation noun

Etymology

Origin of counterirritant

First recorded in 1850–55; counter- + irritant

Example Sentences

Menthol is a counterirritant, which relieves underlying pain near the site of application by causing irritation at the surface.

From The Guardian • Jan. 16, 2013

Landa got into the fight nearly two years ago when Chicago's Fairbanks, Morse decided to back him financially as a counterirritant to Silberstein, who tried unsuccessfully to win control of Fair banks, Morse.

From Time Magazine Archive

In desperation, he learned how to tickle his nose until he sneezed, which helped somewhat as a counterirritant.

From Time Magazine Archive

Despite President Roosevelt's fervid interest in naval shipbuilding as a counterirritant to unemployment, the U. S. will not be up to Treaty par before 1939.

From Time Magazine Archive

This is a counterirritant and often used for goitre.

From Mother's Remedies Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remedies from Mothers of the United States and Canada by Ritter, Thomas Jefferson

Related Words

• balm
• lotion