vexed









vexed


adjective

  1. irritated; annoyed: vexed at the slow salesclerks.
  2. much discussed or disputed: a vexed question.
  3. tossed about, as waves.

verb (used with object)

  1. to irritate; annoy; provoke: His noisy neighbors often vexed him.
  2. to torment; trouble; distress; plague; worry: Lack of money vexes many.
  3. to discuss or debate (a subject, question, etc.) with vigor or at great length: to vex a question endlessly without agreeing.
  4. to disturb by motion; stir up; toss about.
  5. to afflict with physical pain.

adjective

  1. annoyed, confused, or agitated
  2. much debated and discussed (esp in the phrase a vexed question)

verb (tr)

  1. to anger or annoy
  2. to confuse; worry
  3. archaic to agitate
adj.

mid-15c., past participle adjective from vex. Phrase vexed question attested from 1848.

v.

early 15c., from Middle French vexer, from Latin vexare “to attack, harass, trouble,” from vexus, collateral form of vectus, past participle of vehere “to draw, carry” (see vehicle). Related: Vexed; vexing.

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