vexatiousadj.

Brit.

/vɛkˈseɪʃəs/, U.S.

/vɛkˈseɪʃəs/

Forms: 1500s vexacyus, 1600s– vexatious.

Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: vexation n., -ious suffix.

Etymology: < vexat- (in vexation n.) + -ious suffix.

1. Causing, or tending or disposed to cause, vexation; (in later use chiefly) spec. mentally or emotionally troubling or distressing; annoying, irritating.

a. Of a person, a person's disposition, etc.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > suffering > state of annoyance or vexation > [adjective] > annoying or vexatious

angeeOE

swinkfuleOE

plightlyOE

teenfulOE

contrariousc1320

drefa1325

troublinga1325

despitousa1340

thornya1340

discomfortablec1350

troublablec1374

noyousa1382

noyfulc1384

diseasy1387

angrya1393

painful1395

hackinga1400

annoying?c1400

annoyousc1400

cumbrousc1400

teenc1400

annoyfulc1405

sputousc1420

diseasefula1425

molest?a1425

noying?a1425

noisomea1450

grievingc1450

tedious?1454

troublous1463

noisantc1475

displeasant1481

strouble1488

nuisant1494

noyanta1500

irksome1513

sturting1513

molestious1524

vexatious1534

cumbersome1535

uncommodious1541

spiteful1548

vexing?1548

incommodious1551

molestous1555

diseasing1558

grating1563

pestilent1565

sturtsome1570

molestuousa1572

troublesome1573

murrain1575

discommodable1579

galling1583

spiny1586

unsupportable1586

troubleful1588

plaguey1594

distressingc1595

molestful1596

molesting1598

vexful1598

fretful1603

briery1604

bemadding1608

mortifying1611

tiry1611

distressfula1616

irking1629

angersome1649

disobliging1652

discomforting1654

incomfortable1655

incommode1672

ruffling1680

unconvenient1683

pestifying1716

trying1718

offending1726

bothering1765

pesky1775

weary1785

sturty1788

unaccommodating1790

tiresome1798

werriting1808

bothersome1817

plaguesome1828

pestilential1833

fretsome1834

languorous1834

pesty1834

pestersome1843

nettlesome1845

miserable1850

niggling1854

distempering1855

be-maddeninga1861

nattery1873

nagging1883

pestiferous1890

trouble-giving1893

maddening1896

molestive1905

nuisancy1906

balls-aching?1912

nuisance1922

nattering1949

noodgy1969

dickheaded1991

dickish1991

cockish1996

1534 in I. S. Leadam Select Cases Star Chamber (1911) II. 319 Henry..of his vexacyus mynde purchased a writte of monstrauerunt in the Comen place ageynst the seid defendaunt.

1634 W. Prynne Let. in S. Gardiner Documents Proc. against W. Prynne (1877) 51 You..delight in nothing soe much as in being more cruell, merciless, oppressive, and vexatious then any other.

1677 W. Wycherley Plain-dealer i. 10 She is as vexatious as her Father was, the great Attorney.

1715 London Gaz. No. 5343/2 The Townsmen..are..turbulent and vexatious to the Regiment.

1748 J. Wesley & C. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) 97 Begirt with Hosts of Enemies Vexatious as thick-swarming Bees.

1847 Blackwoods Edinb. Mag. Aug. 245/2 He regarded them..as dispositions of mind peculiar to certain individuals of vexatious character and unsound principles.

1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xxiv. 238 The Lord Chancellor described him, in open court, as a vexatious and capricious infant.

1876 Freeman's Jrnl. 12 June 5/4 An untruthful and vexatious man.

1926 Manch. Guardian 4 Mar. 12/4 She is a vexatious minx.

1997 Manawatu (N.Z.) Standard (Nexis) 29 July (Editorial) 9 Cr Pat Kelly is frequently a vexatious person.

2013 J. M. Harvey Sisters of Bruce 1292–1314 i. iv. 42 Grandfather is as choleric and irascible as ever... Most lately, he has been of an even more vexatious disposition.

b. Of an action, event, state of affairs, condition, etc.

ΚΠ

1624 J. Randal Serm. conc. Kingdomes Peace 19 If yee bee farther interested to beare a part in the study of reuenge, how vexatious a torment is it then vnto the braine, heart, & soule of man.

1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. Concl. 184 If he could but stiffly wrangle out a vexatious dispute of some odd Peripatetick qualities.

1706 W. Penn in Mem. Hist. Soc. Pennsylvania (1872) X. 108 The business of Beaumont proves very vexatious to me here.

1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 176. ⁋1 There are many vexatious accidents and uneasy situations which raise little compassion for the sufferer.

1804 J. Abernethy Surg. Observ. 101 The opening of the cyst generally leaves a vexatious and intractable sore.

1842 J. C. Loudon Suburban Horticulturist 709 It is most vexatious to find a fruit tree has been planted untrue to name.

1869 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1875) III. xii. 75 It is somewhat vexatious that we have to trust almost wholly to authorities on one side.

1908 E. M. Forster Room with View ii. 37 Did we talk too loud? How vexatious! I shall go and say we are sorry.

1940 Jrnl. Southern Hist. 6 458 The vexatious North-South issues of the preceding generation had been laid to rest.

1986 N. A. M. Rodger Wooden World (1988) v. 203 Desertion was always a serious practical problem for the Navy, the prevention of which made all sorts of daily operations far more vexatious than they would otherwise have been.

2008 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 12 June 79/1 Unless the vexatious problem of digital preservation is solved, all texts ‘born digital’ belong to an endangered species.

c. Of a living organism.

ΚΠ

1657 G. Thornley tr. Longus Daphnis & Chloe i. 29 Chloe had spent much time, because the flyes were importune, and vexatious, to milk the Sheep, and the Goats.

a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) II. 38 Flies and Gnats are more vexatious in hot Climates, than Creatures that are able to do greater Mischiefs.

1713 W. Derham Physico-theol. iv. xiv. 249 The Horse Fly..is vexatious to Horses.

1759 Gentleman's Mag. July 337/2 That most importune and vexatious insect, commonly called a Louse.

1845 New-Jerusalem Mag. June 383 He now regrets that he has encouraged the growth of vexatious weeds, and poisonous plants.

1861 Amer. Agriculturist July 211/2 That vexatious pest, the striped bug.., though usually most destructive to vines in June,..is still active.

1871 Macmillan's Mag. Apr. 501/2 Bright bird and most vexatious! with a dash of the south in his nature, warm-hearted, impulsive, boastful, noisy.

1947 W. S. Mansfield Farmer's Friend 71 The dock..is one of those vexatious plants that spread not only vegetatively but also by means of seed as well.

2011 J. Osborn Crying House vii. 44 The water was replaced with hundreds of vexatious flies pouring from the nozzle.

2. spec. Law.

a. Of legal action: instituted or taken without sufficient grounds, purely to cause trouble or annoyance to the defendant. Also in extended use of an accusation, complaint, etc., in administrative and similar contexts.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > [adjective] > vexatious (of suit)

vexatious1625

vexatory1792

1625 B. Crokey To His Sacred Maiestie sig. A^v The so long, so many and vexatious Suites wrongfully prosecuted against him.

1653 Act Relief Creditors 136 The said Judges..shall give Damages to such prisoners..for their vexatious Imprisonment, which is hereby Declared unlawfull.

1677 A. Yarranton England's Improvem. 9 It is a Sin, that a Gentleman..should be the occasion of ruining so many Families..by putting them to such vexatious Suits for their Moneys lent.

1696–7 Act 8 & 9 William III c. 11 §2 in Statutes of Realm (1963) VII. 201 Diverse evil disposed Persons are incouraged to bring frivolous and vexatious Actions.

1746 P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Satires i. vi. 6 Persius had wealth by foreign traffic gain'd, And a vexatious suit with King maintain'd.

a1797 E. Burke Tracts Popery Laws in Wks. (1842) II. 447/2 Vexatious litigation, and crooked law-chicanery.

1808 W. Mitford Hist. Greece IV. xxxix. 439 The penalty decreed against frivolous and vexatious accusation.

1835 J. H. Newman Lett. & Corr. (1891) II. 87 But..how to hinder vexatious prosecutions?

1884 Galveston (Texas) Daily News 6 May 6/6 A publisher may be required to travel a thousand miles in order to answer a purely vexatious complaint.

1907 Times of India 18 Oct. 4/5 The insolvent had filed a most vexatious suit.

1909 H. M. Gwatkin Early Church Hist. I. viii. 142 If the charge turns out vexatious (calumniæ gratia) the accuser shall be severely punished.

1992 Age (Melbourne) (Nexis) 16 Jan. (Late ed.) 13 They may suspect that they encourage vexatious complaints.

2011 Irish Times 28 Mar. (Nexis) (Law Matters section) 20 Frivolous and vexatious proceedings.

b. Designating a person who takes vexatious legal action (see sense 2a) in order to cause trouble or annoyance to a defendant. Also in extended use of a person who makes a complaint, accusation, etc., in other contexts.

ΚΠ

1637 J. Bastwick Answer Information Sir J. Bancks 27/2 They stand upon two records in the Court of Chancerie for Calumniators & malicious Traducers & vexatious men.

1684 P. Brunskell Vindic. Case Greenwax Fines 10 Vexatious Plaintiffs are..keeping Defendants from an Equitable Relief two or three years with Contempts.

1735 Bayle's Gen. Dict. Hist. & Crit. (ed. 2) II. 357/1 This Brutus did not aim at the Magistracy, but was a vehement and vexatious Accuser.

1745 J. Barlow Justice of Peace 530 The Justice..may require Sureties for the good Behaviour of such vexatious Complainant.

1830 R. Biddle Capt. Hall in Amer. 41 The present costs are sufficiently heavy to punish a vexatious litigant.

1874 Ann. Rep. Admin. Bombay Presidency 1872–3 ii. iii. 266 Measures were..taken by the Magistrates of Police with a view to repress false complaints, by levying fines from vexatious complainants.

1960 Statutory Instruments I. 1556 Provision is made for dealing with vexatious applicants and those making false statements.

1991 Dominion (Wellington, N.Z.) 20 Aug. 10/5 Crown lawyers..had sought to have him declared a vexatious litigant and tried to cover up what had happened.

2010 J. Kirkbride in Mr A. Mackay & Ms J. Kirkbride (House of Commons Comm. Standards & Privileges) 48 What I thought were entirely appropriate arrangements have become fodder to a baying press and vexatious complainers.

3. Of an era, life, etc.: full of trouble or uneasiness.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being harassed > [adjective] > harassing

griefa1300

grievous13..

travailinga1450

importunatea1500

unportunatea1533

importunable1566

infestive1570

infestuous1593

plaguey1595

infestious1597

importunous1598

obsidious1615

vexatious?1626

pestifying1716

harassing1833

obsidional1879

infesting1881

obseding1885

?1626 T. Morton Grand Imposture Church of Rome xii. 177 Saint Basil hauing written diuers letters and sent many Messages..yet receiuing no Answer from them, in so vexatious and perilous times.

1644 K. Digby Two Treat. Ded. sig. ãiij^v He leadeth a vexatious life, that in his noblest actions is so gored with scruples, that he dareth not make a steppe, without the authority of an other to warrant him.

1671 H. M. tr. Erasmus Colloquies 529 Riches and honours which bring not a pleasant, but rather a careful and vexatious life.

1768 Case Duke of Portland 42 That peace and quiet, which was not denied to the subject, in the most vexatious times of prerogative, by the founder of the Stuart line.

1787 Contrast i. v. 42 Leading for several months a most vexatious life, in a continual hurry and agitation of spirit.

1842 Daily National Intelligencer (Washington) 28 Nov. A..wearisome and vexatious life.

1854 Sheffield & Rotherham Independent 20 May 12/3 The long, uncertain, and vexatious period..which preceded the declaration of hostilities.

1900 Churchman 6 Jan. 11/2 The Church would enter another vexatious era.

1974 Arizona Republic 3 May a6/2 They wish him well in as vexatious period as any American chief magistrate has ever lived through.

2010 Providence (Rhode Island) Jrnl. (Nexis) 1 Feb. (Commentary) 6 It is a curiously murderous folk tale with a happy ending widely enjoyed by Americans at a vexatious time in their history.

4. Vexed, annoyed (with).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > suffering > state of annoyance or vexation > [adjective]

ofgrameda1200

agrameda1300

irk1303

overthoughta1325

aggrievedc1330

annoyedc1330

noyfula1387

teena1400

vexed?c1425

annoyousa1450

angry1485

noyeda1500

irked1513

engrieved1591

exulceratec1592

galled1601

incommodate1622

exulcerated1640

ruffled1659

uncommoded1683

chagrin1706

exacerbated1727

chagrineda1754

vexatious1756

discommoded1773

pipped1797

roiled1818

riled1825

outraged1836

put-out1836

vex1843

niggled1878

narked1888

hacked1892

wired1904

peeved1908

1756 W. Toldervy Hist. Two Orphans IV. 106 Heartley grew vexatious with himself for having parted with the watch.

1909 E. Raymond Dorothy's House Boat ii. 38 Dolly, vexatious with the ‘interlopers’, as she considered the party aboard the Water Lily, gave place to a sudden, keen liking for the fragile Elsa.

1958 W. U. Solberg Federal Convent. & Formation U.S. Introd. p. lxxxix Close confinement and constant association made members irritable, and they grew vexatious and skeptical of the outcome.

1999 K. Ryan Write about Dogs 10 She asked me a lot of stuff about my writing ambitions..in an earnest attempt to know me when I cut her off—I grew vexatious over the third degree—whereupon she stiffened.

2015 N. Khan Strange Tales iv. 502 I wanted to scream at Kumar and Urmila... I was vexatious as hell as I said bye to them.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2017; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	vexatious
释义	vexatiousadj. Brit. /vɛkˈseɪʃəs/, U.S. /vɛkˈseɪʃəs/ Forms: 1500s vexacyus, 1600s– vexatious. Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: vexation n., -ious suffix. Etymology: < vexat- (in vexation n.) + -ious suffix. 1. Causing, or tending or disposed to cause, vexation; (in later use chiefly) spec. mentally or emotionally troubling or distressing; annoying, irritating. a. Of a person, a person's disposition, etc. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > suffering > state of annoyance or vexation > [adjective] > annoying or vexatious angeeOE swinkfuleOE plightlyOE teenfulOE contrariousc1320 drefa1325 troublinga1325 despitousa1340 thornya1340 discomfortablec1350 troublablec1374 noyousa1382 noyfulc1384 diseasy1387 angrya1393 painful1395 hackinga1400 annoying?c1400 annoyousc1400 cumbrousc1400 teenc1400 annoyfulc1405 sputousc1420 diseasefula1425 molest?a1425 noying?a1425 noisomea1450 grievingc1450 tedious?1454 troublous1463 noisantc1475 displeasant1481 strouble1488 nuisant1494 noyanta1500 irksome1513 sturting1513 molestious1524 vexatious1534 cumbersome1535 uncommodious1541 spiteful1548 vexing?1548 incommodious1551 molestous1555 diseasing1558 grating1563 pestilent1565 sturtsome1570 molestuousa1572 troublesome1573 murrain1575 discommodable1579 galling1583 spiny1586 unsupportable1586 troubleful1588 plaguey1594 distressingc1595 molestful1596 molesting1598 vexful1598 fretful1603 briery1604 bemadding1608 mortifying1611 tiry1611 distressfula1616 irking1629 angersome1649 disobliging1652 discomforting1654 incomfortable1655 incommode1672 ruffling1680 unconvenient1683 pestifying1716 trying1718 offending1726 bothering1765 pesky1775 weary1785 sturty1788 unaccommodating1790 tiresome1798 werriting1808 bothersome1817 plaguesome1828 pestilential1833 fretsome1834 languorous1834 pesty1834 pestersome1843 nettlesome1845 miserable1850 niggling1854 distempering1855 be-maddeninga1861 nattery1873 nagging1883 pestiferous1890 trouble-giving1893 maddening1896 molestive1905 nuisancy1906 balls-aching?1912 nuisance1922 nattering1949 noodgy1969 dickheaded1991 dickish1991 cockish1996 1534 in I. S. Leadam Select Cases Star Chamber (1911) II. 319 Henry..of his vexacyus mynde purchased a writte of monstrauerunt in the Comen place ageynst the seid defendaunt. 1634 W. Prynne Let. in S. Gardiner Documents Proc. against W. Prynne (1877) 51 You..delight in nothing soe much as in being more cruell, merciless, oppressive, and vexatious then any other. 1677 W. Wycherley Plain-dealer i. 10 She is as vexatious as her Father was, the great Attorney. 1715 London Gaz. No. 5343/2 The Townsmen..are..turbulent and vexatious to the Regiment. 1748 J. Wesley & C. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) 97 Begirt with Hosts of Enemies Vexatious as thick-swarming Bees. 1847 Blackwoods Edinb. Mag. Aug. 245/2 He regarded them..as dispositions of mind peculiar to certain individuals of vexatious character and unsound principles. 1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xxiv. 238 The Lord Chancellor described him, in open court, as a vexatious and capricious infant. 1876 Freeman's Jrnl. 12 June 5/4 An untruthful and vexatious man. 1926 Manch. Guardian 4 Mar. 12/4 She is a vexatious minx. 1997 Manawatu (N.Z.) Standard (Nexis) 29 July (Editorial) 9 Cr Pat Kelly is frequently a vexatious person. 2013 J. M. Harvey Sisters of Bruce 1292–1314 i. iv. 42 Grandfather is as choleric and irascible as ever... Most lately, he has been of an even more vexatious disposition. b. Of an action, event, state of affairs, condition, etc. ΚΠ 1624 J. Randal Serm. conc. Kingdomes Peace 19 If yee bee farther interested to beare a part in the study of reuenge, how vexatious a torment is it then vnto the braine, heart, & soule of man. 1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. Concl. 184 If he could but stiffly wrangle out a vexatious dispute of some odd Peripatetick qualities. 1706 W. Penn in Mem. Hist. Soc. Pennsylvania (1872) X. 108 The business of Beaumont proves very vexatious to me here. 1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 176. ⁋1 There are many vexatious accidents and uneasy situations which raise little compassion for the sufferer. 1804 J. Abernethy Surg. Observ. 101 The opening of the cyst generally leaves a vexatious and intractable sore. 1842 J. C. Loudon Suburban Horticulturist 709 It is most vexatious to find a fruit tree has been planted untrue to name. 1869 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1875) III. xii. 75 It is somewhat vexatious that we have to trust almost wholly to authorities on one side. 1908 E. M. Forster Room with View ii. 37 Did we talk too loud? How vexatious! I shall go and say we are sorry. 1940 Jrnl. Southern Hist. 6 458 The vexatious North-South issues of the preceding generation had been laid to rest. 1986 N. A. M. Rodger Wooden World (1988) v. 203 Desertion was always a serious practical problem for the Navy, the prevention of which made all sorts of daily operations far more vexatious than they would otherwise have been. 2008 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 12 June 79/1 Unless the vexatious problem of digital preservation is solved, all texts ‘born digital’ belong to an endangered species. c. Of a living organism. ΚΠ 1657 G. Thornley tr. Longus Daphnis & Chloe i. 29 Chloe had spent much time, because the flyes were importune, and vexatious, to milk the Sheep, and the Goats. a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) II. 38 Flies and Gnats are more vexatious in hot Climates, than Creatures that are able to do greater Mischiefs. 1713 W. Derham Physico-theol. iv. xiv. 249 The Horse Fly..is vexatious to Horses. 1759 Gentleman's Mag. July 337/2 That most importune and vexatious insect, commonly called a Louse. 1845 New-Jerusalem Mag. June 383 He now regrets that he has encouraged the growth of vexatious weeds, and poisonous plants. 1861 Amer. Agriculturist July 211/2 That vexatious pest, the striped bug.., though usually most destructive to vines in June,..is still active. 1871 Macmillan's Mag. Apr. 501/2 Bright bird and most vexatious! with a dash of the south in his nature, warm-hearted, impulsive, boastful, noisy. 1947 W. S. Mansfield Farmer's Friend 71 The dock..is one of those vexatious plants that spread not only vegetatively but also by means of seed as well. 2011 J. Osborn Crying House vii. 44 The water was replaced with hundreds of vexatious flies pouring from the nozzle. 2. spec. Law. a. Of legal action: instituted or taken without sufficient grounds, purely to cause trouble or annoyance to the defendant. Also in extended use of an accusation, complaint, etc., in administrative and similar contexts. ΘΚΠ society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > [adjective] > vexatious (of suit) vexatious1625 vexatory1792 1625 B. Crokey To His Sacred Maiestie sig. A^v The so long, so many and vexatious Suites wrongfully prosecuted against him. 1653 Act Relief Creditors 136 The said Judges..shall give Damages to such prisoners..for their vexatious Imprisonment, which is hereby Declared unlawfull. 1677 A. Yarranton England's Improvem. 9 It is a Sin, that a Gentleman..should be the occasion of ruining so many Families..by putting them to such vexatious Suits for their Moneys lent. 1696–7 Act 8 & 9 William III c. 11 §2 in Statutes of Realm (1963) VII. 201 Diverse evil disposed Persons are incouraged to bring frivolous and vexatious Actions. 1746 P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Satires i. vi. 6 Persius had wealth by foreign traffic gain'd, And a vexatious suit with King maintain'd. a1797 E. Burke Tracts Popery Laws in Wks. (1842) II. 447/2 Vexatious litigation, and crooked law-chicanery. 1808 W. Mitford Hist. Greece IV. xxxix. 439 The penalty decreed against frivolous and vexatious accusation. 1835 J. H. Newman Lett. & Corr. (1891) II. 87 But..how to hinder vexatious prosecutions? 1884 Galveston (Texas) Daily News 6 May 6/6 A publisher may be required to travel a thousand miles in order to answer a purely vexatious complaint. 1907 Times of India 18 Oct. 4/5 The insolvent had filed a most vexatious suit. 1909 H. M. Gwatkin Early Church Hist. I. viii. 142 If the charge turns out vexatious (calumniæ gratia) the accuser shall be severely punished. 1992 Age (Melbourne) (Nexis) 16 Jan. (Late ed.) 13 They may suspect that they encourage vexatious complaints. 2011 Irish Times 28 Mar. (Nexis) (Law Matters section) 20 Frivolous and vexatious proceedings. b. Designating a person who takes vexatious legal action (see sense 2a) in order to cause trouble or annoyance to a defendant. Also in extended use of a person who makes a complaint, accusation, etc., in other contexts. ΚΠ 1637 J. Bastwick Answer Information Sir J. Bancks 27/2 They stand upon two records in the Court of Chancerie for Calumniators & malicious Traducers & vexatious men. 1684 P. Brunskell Vindic. Case Greenwax Fines 10 Vexatious Plaintiffs are..keeping Defendants from an Equitable Relief two or three years with Contempts. 1735 Bayle's Gen. Dict. Hist. & Crit. (ed. 2) II. 357/1 This Brutus did not aim at the Magistracy, but was a vehement and vexatious Accuser. 1745 J. Barlow Justice of Peace 530 The Justice..may require Sureties for the good Behaviour of such vexatious Complainant. 1830 R. Biddle Capt. Hall in Amer. 41 The present costs are sufficiently heavy to punish a vexatious litigant. 1874 Ann. Rep. Admin. Bombay Presidency 1872–3 ii. iii. 266 Measures were..taken by the Magistrates of Police with a view to repress false complaints, by levying fines from vexatious complainants. 1960 Statutory Instruments I. 1556 Provision is made for dealing with vexatious applicants and those making false statements. 1991 Dominion (Wellington, N.Z.) 20 Aug. 10/5 Crown lawyers..had sought to have him declared a vexatious litigant and tried to cover up what had happened. 2010 J. Kirkbride in Mr A. Mackay & Ms J. Kirkbride (House of Commons Comm. Standards & Privileges) 48 What I thought were entirely appropriate arrangements have become fodder to a baying press and vexatious complainers. 3. Of an era, life, etc.: full of trouble or uneasiness. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being harassed > [adjective] > harassing griefa1300 grievous13.. travailinga1450 importunatea1500 unportunatea1533 importunable1566 infestive1570 infestuous1593 plaguey1595 infestious1597 importunous1598 obsidious1615 vexatious?1626 pestifying1716 harassing1833 obsidional1879 infesting1881 obseding1885 ?1626 T. Morton Grand Imposture Church of Rome xii. 177 Saint Basil hauing written diuers letters and sent many Messages..yet receiuing no Answer from them, in so vexatious and perilous times. 1644 K. Digby Two Treat. Ded. sig. ãiij^v He leadeth a vexatious life, that in his noblest actions is so gored with scruples, that he dareth not make a steppe, without the authority of an other to warrant him. 1671 H. M. tr. Erasmus Colloquies 529 Riches and honours which bring not a pleasant, but rather a careful and vexatious life. 1768 Case Duke of Portland 42 That peace and quiet, which was not denied to the subject, in the most vexatious times of prerogative, by the founder of the Stuart line. 1787 Contrast i. v. 42 Leading for several months a most vexatious life, in a continual hurry and agitation of spirit. 1842 Daily National Intelligencer (Washington) 28 Nov. A..wearisome and vexatious life. 1854 Sheffield & Rotherham Independent 20 May 12/3 The long, uncertain, and vexatious period..which preceded the declaration of hostilities. 1900 Churchman 6 Jan. 11/2 The Church would enter another vexatious era. 1974 Arizona Republic 3 May a6/2 They wish him well in as vexatious period as any American chief magistrate has ever lived through. 2010 Providence (Rhode Island) Jrnl. (Nexis) 1 Feb. (Commentary) 6 It is a curiously murderous folk tale with a happy ending widely enjoyed by Americans at a vexatious time in their history. 4. Vexed, annoyed (with). ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > suffering > state of annoyance or vexation > [adjective] ofgrameda1200 agrameda1300 irk1303 overthoughta1325 aggrievedc1330 annoyedc1330 noyfula1387 teena1400 vexed?c1425 annoyousa1450 angry1485 noyeda1500 irked1513 engrieved1591 exulceratec1592 galled1601 incommodate1622 exulcerated1640 ruffled1659 uncommoded1683 chagrin1706 exacerbated1727 chagrineda1754 vexatious1756 discommoded1773 pipped1797 roiled1818 riled1825 outraged1836 put-out1836 vex1843 niggled1878 narked1888 hacked1892 wired1904 peeved1908 1756 W. Toldervy Hist. Two Orphans IV. 106 Heartley grew vexatious with himself for having parted with the watch. 1909 E. Raymond Dorothy's House Boat ii. 38 Dolly, vexatious with the ‘interlopers’, as she considered the party aboard the Water Lily, gave place to a sudden, keen liking for the fragile Elsa. 1958 W. U. Solberg Federal Convent. & Formation U.S. Introd. p. lxxxix Close confinement and constant association made members irritable, and they grew vexatious and skeptical of the outcome. 1999 K. Ryan Write about Dogs 10 She asked me a lot of stuff about my writing ambitions..in an earnest attempt to know me when I cut her off—I grew vexatious over the third degree—whereupon she stiffened. 2015 N. Khan Strange Tales iv. 502 I wanted to scream at Kumar and Urmila... I was vexatious as hell as I said bye to them. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2017; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < adj.1534
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