counterirritant

American  

[kaun-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

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Etymology

Origin of counterirritant

First recorded in 1850–55; counter- + irritant

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

counterirritant

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

Some scientists believe that pulque's yeast and vitamins offset the unbalanced diet of chili, corn and beans, act as a counterirritant to hot peppers.

From Time Magazine Archive

Well, you take the two pails of ice water, throw a little dirt in them, to act as a counterirritant, strip, and stand with one foot in each pail.

From Time Magazine Archive

Since then I have often wondered why the American press never reported on this Oriental medical treatment, called "counterirritant."

From Time Magazine Archive

She had early learned to ignore his moods, to avoid sympathy which aggravates, and to meet his blues with a vigorous counterirritant of liveliness.

From Susan Lenox: Her Fall and Rise by David Graham Phillips

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Related Words

• balm
• lotion

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