IRASCIBLE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does irascible mean? 

• IRASCIBLE (adjective)
  The adjective IRASCIBLE has 2 senses:

1. quickly aroused to anger

2. characterized by anger

  Familiarity information: IRASCIBLE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• IRASCIBLE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Quickly aroused to anger

Synonyms:

choleric; hot-tempered; hotheaded; irascible; quick-tempered; short-tempered

Context example:

a hotheaded commander

Similar:

ill-natured (having an irritable and unpleasant disposition)

Derivation:

irascibility (a feeling of resentful anger)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Characterized by anger

Synonyms:

choleric; irascible

Context example:

an irascible response

Similar:

angry (feeling or showing anger)

Derivation:

irascibility (a feeling of resentful anger)

 Context examples 

He runs after us, a puffing, red-faced, irascible figure.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

This did not suit Jo at all, but she accepted the place since nothing better appeared and, to every one's surprise, got on remarkably well with her irascible relative.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

“Well, sir! Well, sir! And what then, sir?” cried Francis, who appeared to be an irascible, rough-tongued man.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

That hiss, faint as it was, irritated the irascible gentleman, and sealed the culprit's fate.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

It was easy to see that he was a quick, irascible, high-blooded man, for he was talking hotly about his grievances with a flush of anger upon his freckled cheeks.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The threat sounded awful, but did not alarm Jo, for she knew the irascible old gentleman would never lift a finger against his grandson, whatever he might say to the contrary.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)