Vexation
/ˌvɛkˈseɪ.ʃən/noun
The state of being annoyed, frustrated, or troubled.
Did you know?Vexation ultimately traces back to Latin *vexare*, a frequentative verb tied to rough handling and violent agitation, so the word began life closer to “to harass” than “to annoy.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wegh-
“to move, carry, transport”
Latin
Latin
vexāre
“to shake, jolt, harass, trouble”
Late Latin
Latin
vexātiō
“harassment, torment, disturbance”
Old French
Old French
vexacion
“annoyance, trouble, harassment”
Middle English
English
vexacioun
“annoyance, distress, trouble”
Modern English
English
vexation
“annoyance, frustration, or mental distress”