vexations

Noun

vexation (countable and uncountable, plural vexations)

1. (uncountable) The action of vexing, annoying, or irritating someone or something; (countable) an instance of this.
   • […] I mourne in my prayer, and make a noiſe, / For the voyce of the enemie, & for the vexation of the vvicked, becauſe they haue broght iniquitie vpon me, & furiouſly hate me.1560, [William Whittingham et al., transl.], The Bible and Holy Scriptures Conteyned in the Olde and Newe Testament. […] (the Geneva Bible), Geneva: […] Rouland Hall, →OCLC, Psalmes LV:2–3, folio...
   1. (uncountable) The action of physically annoying or irritating a person or an animal; (countable) an instance of this; also, a physical discomfort or disorder.
      • And, gentle Puck, take this transformed ſcalpe, / From the heade of this Athenian ſvvaine [Nick Bottom]; / That hee, avvaking vvhen the other do, / May all to Athens backe againe repaire, / And thinke no more of this nights accidents, / But as the fearce vexation of a dreame.c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, A Midsommer Nights Dreame. […] (First Quarto), London: […] [Richard Bradock] for Thomas Fisher, […], published 1600, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]...
   2. (uncountable) The action of vexing or annoying someone by bringing unjustified legal proceedings against them; (countable) an instance of this.
2. (uncountable) The state of being vexed, annoyed, or irritated; annoyance, irritation; also, disappointment, discontentment, unhappiness; (countable) an instance of this.
   • "Indeed you perplex me intolerably;" cried Cecilia, vvith ſome vexation, "VVhy, Sir, vvill you not be more explicit?"1782, [Frances Burney], “A Perplexity”, in Cecilia, or Memoirs of an Heiress. […], volume II, London: […] T[homas] Payne and Son […], and T[homas] Cadell […], →OCLC, book III, page 22
   1. (uncountable) The state of being mentally distressed or troubled.
      • Thus I haue conſidered all the thinges that come to paſſe vnder the Sõne, ⁊ lo, they are all but vanitie ⁊ vexacion of mynde.1535 October 14 (Gregorian calendar), Myles Coverdale, transl., Biblia: The Byble, […] (Coverdale Bible), [Cologne or Marburg]: [Eucharius Cervicornus and Johannes Soter?], →OCLC, Ecclesiastes...
   2. (uncountable) The state of being physically annoyed or irritated.

See all 8 meanings of vexation