c1330 (?a1300) Arthour & Merlin (Auch.) (1973) l. 4460 No miȝt do wiþ hir wicheing In Inglond non anoiing.

c1450 tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage Lyfe Manhode (Cambr.) (1869) 101 I am thilke that shortliche maketh the time passe with oute enoyinge.

1569 T. Stocker tr. Diodorus Siculus Hist. Successors Alexander i. ix. f. 9^v So meete a place for the anoying of y^e enimy.

1639 R. Ward Animadversions of Warre i. xxxii. 80 The Generall must cause divers Peeces to be brought, which shall be to discharge upon all parts of the Wall, to hinder their annoying of the Assaylants.

1726 Laws of Sewers 83 By Stat. 27 H. 8. If any Person shall do, or cause any Thing to be done to the annoying of the River Thames..he shall forfeit 5l. for every Offence, to the King.

1797 T. Holcroft Adventures Hugh Trevor VI. vi. 79 The Baronet..turned his thoughts to the annoying of Lord Idford.

1851 Copy Penal Code (India) xix. §419 Whoever knowingly trespasses in order to the injuring by any offence, to the intimidating, to the insulting, or to the annoying of any possessor of the property [etc.].

1914 18th Ann. Rep. N.Y. Zool. Soc. 68 Saturdays and Sundays, when rubbish-throwing and the annoying of animals was particularly rife.

2005 A. E. Kazdin Parental Managem. Training i. 6 (table) Resistance to directions, and seemingly intentional annoying of others are key characteristics.

1566 T. Stapleton Returne Vntruthes Jewelles Replie iii. 116 To whom euery light discorde is a great anoying.

1680–5 Sc. Souldiers Kindness (single sheet) Now comes the woful annoying.

1781 J. Penn Remarks on Thelyphthora 7 Their domestic peace and happiness were interrupted and embittered by..quarrels, jealousies, and annoyings.

1846 Morning Post 18 Sept. 5/4 He wishes the divided church to be made one—all annoyings, and jealousies, and evil speaking to be done away!

1885 O. T. Miller Bird-ways xiii. 199 They confined themselves to threats and annoyings.

1991 National Assembly Official Rep. (Republic of Kenya) 85 432/1 It is an annoying to citizens of this country to read such reports because they love the President.

?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) i. met. v. l. 532 Anoienge folk treden and þat vnryȝtfully in þe nekkes of holy men.

1593 T. Watson Poems (Arb.) 187 Annoying sorrowes..Assaild my thoughts.

1606 E. Forset Compar. Disc. Bodies Nat. & Politique 73 His potentiall faculties so helped..ouercommeth his annoying foe.

1660 R. Sharrock Hist. Propagation & Improvem. Veg. 98 Be sure you plow up..annoying weeds.

1755 J. Hervey Theron & Aspasio I. ii. 123 Screened them from the annoying Sun-beams.

1786 W. M. Trinder Pract. Serm. xii. 215 Because of an annoying enmity, sharp misery hath worn him to the bone.

1816 N. Amer. Rev. Nov. 17 Vexed with annoying cares, or drowned in the excessive abuse of overflowing plenty.

1866 ‘G. Eliot’ Felix Holt I. ii. 74 He found Jermyn's manners annoying.

1955 Economist 2 July 14/1 ‘Spot checks’ on the roadworthiness of cars (which will be very annoying to motorists, and probably will not work).

2001 L. Rennison Knocked out by Nunga-nungas 72 He was so annoying.

2004 Runner's World Oct. 34 If the number of annoying adverts on TV is anything to go by, probiotic yoghurt drinks are big business.