exasperate

EX`ASPERATE, v.t. [L. exaspero, to irritate; ex and aspero, from asper, rough, harsh.]

1. To anger; to irritate to a high degree; to provoke to rage; to enrage; to excite anger, or to inflame it to an extreme degree. We say, to exasperate a person, or to exasperate the passion of anger or resentment.

2. To aggravate; to embitter; as, to exasperate enmity.

3. To augment violence; to increase malignity; to exacerbate; as, to exasperate pain or a part inflamed.