Ex*as"per*ate (?), a. [L. exasperatus, p. p. of exsasperare to roughen, exasperate; ex out (intens.) + asperare to make rough, asper rough. See Asperity.]
Exasperated; imbittered.
[Obs.]
Shak.
Like swallows which the exasperate dying year
Sets spinning.
Mrs. Browning.
© Webster 1913.
Ex*as"per*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Exsasperated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Exasperating (?).]
1.
To irritate in a high degree; to provoke; to enrage; to exscite or to inflame the anger of; as, to exasperate a person or his feelings.
To exsasperate them against the king of France.
Addison.
2.
To make grievous, or more grievous or malignant; to aggravate; to imbitter; as, to exasperate enmity.
To exasperate the ways of death.
Sir T. Browne.
Syn. -- To irritate; provoke. See Irritate.
© Webster 1913.