noyance
English edit
Etymology edit
From Middle English noyaunce, partly an aphetic form of anoyaunce, partly directly from Anglo-Norman noyaunce.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
noyance (plural noyances)
- (archaic) The state of being annoyed; distress, irritation.
- c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii]:
- The single and peculiar life is bound / With all the strength and armour of the mind / To keep itself from noyance [...].
- (archaic) The act of annoying; molestation.
- (law, obsolete) Nuisance.