English

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Etymology

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a 1650 vexation +‎ -ous

Pronunciation

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Adjective

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vexatious (comparative more vexatious, superlative most vexatious)

  1. Causing vexation or annoyance; teasing; troublesome.
    • 1838 (date written), L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XXI, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. [], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, [], published 1842, →OCLC, page 259:
      Although this letter is vexatious, I must not forget that my little entertainment has brought me a visiter in the Marquess of Wentworthdale, on an errand of no small moment, as the Countess of Rotheles may soon learn, to her surprise, for I shall, probably, see him at the Opera to-night.
  2. (archaic) Full of trouble or disquiet
    Synonyms: harassed, distressed, annoyed, vexed
    • 1644, Kenelm Digby, Two Treatises, To My Son Kenelm Digby (preface):
      He leads a vexatious life.
  3. (law, of an action) Commenced for the purpose of giving trouble, without due cause.
    a vexatious lawsuit
  4. (law, of a party or entity) In the habit of starting vexatious litigation and therefore liable to have restraints placed on one's ability to access the courts.
    a vexatious litigant

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