Dictionary entry

Vex

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Vex (vĕks), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Vexed (vĕkst); 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 toss 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.

Ten thousand torments vex my heart. Prior.

3. To twist; to weave.

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

Syn. — See Tease.