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vex

1. To tos back and forth; to agitate; to disquiet. White curl the waves, and the vexed ocean roars. (pope)

2. To make angry or annoyed by little provocations; to irritate; to plague; to torment; to harass; to afflict; to trouble; to tease. I will not vex your souls. Then thousand torments vex my heart. (prior)

3. To twist; to weave. Some english wool, vexed in a Belgian loom. (Dryden)

Synonym: See tease.

Origin: F. Vexer, L. Vexare, vexatum, to vex, originally, to shake, toss, in carrying, v. Intens. Fr. Vehere, vectum, to carry. See Vehicle.