figurative.

A provoker, vexer: cf. teryare taryer n. at tary, v. derivatives.

figurative. A thing that causes annoyance, irritation, or torment; a ‘thorn in the flesh’. Obsolete.

a provoker, vexer.

A splinter or thorn in the flesh. Now dialect.

A person who or thing which provokes (in various senses).

A particle of dust, esp. one of the innumerable minute specks seen floating in a beam of light; (contextually) an irritating particle in the eye or…

Something which annoys, troubles, or disturbs someone; a nuisance, an annoyance. Also formerly: †something which causes harm; an injury (obsolete)…

A person who or thing which nettles, stings, or irritates.

An irritating or provoking person or thing; (also) a stimulus to action. Now esp.: a person who persistently criticizes or challenges the status quo…

one who bites like a flea; in quot. 1629 figurative.

One who exasperates.

A person who badgers or pesters another; a nagger.

One who or that which irritates.

A person who goads, irritates, or torments others, esp. with the intention of provoking a reaction.

A person who nags; something which nags at or bothers one continuously.

Used trivially. a person of exasperating habits or manners.

slang. An annoying, unpleasant, or idiotic person (esp. a man or boy). Cf. knobhead, n. 2.

An irritating, despicable, or contemptible person. Chiefly as a term of abuse.

slang. A person who deliberately goads or provokes others. Cf. needle, v. 4b.

An obnoxious or irritating person; a person who behaves objectionably. Cf. douche, n. 4.

coarse slang (chiefly British). derogatory. An annoying, objectionable, or idiotic person; = knobhead, n. 2b. Cf. bell end, n. 3b.

Also in form hata. U.S. slang (esp. in African-American usage). A person with an excessively critical or negative attitude, esp. one who resents…