Lexical Definition

‎ἐρεθίζω‎ erethízō (er-eth-id'-zo) to provoke/irritate ^G:V
from a presumed prolonged form of ‎ἔρις‎

provoke.

• to stimulate (especially to anger)

Abbott-Smith

ἐρεθίζω [in LXX: Da LXX 11:10, 25 (גָּרָה hithp.), I Mac 15:40, II Mac 14:17, etc. ;]
1. to stir up, provoke (as in cl.): Col 3:21.
2. In good sense (cf. ἐρεθισμός, excitement in MGr.), to stir up, stimulate: II Co 9:2.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

ἐρεθίζω,

Epic dialect infinitive -ιζέμεν [Refs 8th c.BC+]: imperfect [Refs 5th c.BC+] (Lyric poetry), Epic dialect [Refs 8th c.BC+]: future -ίσω [Refs 2nd c.AD+], -ιῶ [Refs 5th c.BC+]: aorist 1 Refs 5th c.BC+, infinitive [Refs 3rd c.BC+]: perfect [Refs 4th c.BC+]:—passive, aorist 1 ἠρεθίσθην, participle [Refs 5th c.BC+]: perfect [Refs 5th c.BC+] (see. below), etc.: (ἐρέθω):—rouse to anger, rouse to fight, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; κύνας τ᾽ ἄνδρας τε, of a lion, [Refs 6th c.BC+]; πὺξ ἐ. challenge to a boxing-match, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; provoke to curiosity, [Refs 8th c.BC+]: generally, excite, chafe, Refs 5th c.BC+; of physical irritation, [Refs 5th c.BC+] causing brief irritation, [Refs 5th c.BC+] (Lyric poetry); ἐ. μάγαδιν to touch it, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; incite to rivalry, [NT]passive, to be provoked, excited, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; of love, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; of fire, [Refs 6th c.BC+] (anapaest meter); πνεῦμα ἠρεθισμένον, of one who has run till he is out of breath, [Refs 5th c.BC+].

__II absolutely, to be quarrelsome or perverse, [Refs 1st c.AD+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: 2Cor.9.2}