irascible

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   easily provoked to anger; habitually hot-tempered

   The irascible director was notorious for shouting when rehearsals ran late.

2. 2
   adj

   in older philosophy, relating to the faculty associated with anger, courage, and resistance

   The philosopher placed courage among the irascible passions rather than the appetites.

Via French irascible from Late Latin irascibilis, based on Latin irasci ("to become angry") and ira ("anger").

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