What is "vexing"

Vex \Vex\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vexed; p. pr. & vb. n. Vexing.] [F. vexer, L. vexare, vexatum, to vex, originally, to shake, toss, in carrying, v. intens. fr. vehere, vectum, to carry. See Vehicle.]

1. To to?s 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.''
   --Shak.

   Then thousand torments vex my heart.
   --Prior.

3. To twist; to weave. [R.]

   Some English wool, vexed in a Belgian loom.
   --Dryden.

   Syn: See Tease.

n. vexation vb. (present participle of vex English)

1. adj. extremely annoying or displeasing; "his cavelier curtness of manner was exasperating"; "I've had an exasperating day"; "her infuriating indifference"; "the ceaseless tumult of the jukebox was maddening" [syn: exasperating, infuriating, maddening]

2. causing irritation or annoyance; "tapping an annoying rhythm on his glass with his fork"; "aircraft noise is particularly bothersome near the airport"; "found it galling to have to ask permission"; "an irritating delay"; "nettlesome paperwork"; "a pesky mosquito"; "swarms of pestering gnats"; "a plaguey newfangled safety catch"; "a teasing and persistent thought annoyed him"; "a vexatious child"; "it is vexing to have to admit you are wrong" [syn: annoying, bothersome, galling, irritating, nettlesome, pesky, pestering, pestiferous, plaguy, plaguey, teasing, vexatious]