HARASS Har"ass (hâr"as), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Harassed; p. pr. & vb. n. Harassing.] Etym: [F. harasser; cf. OF. harace a basket made of cords, harace, harasse,a very heavy and large shield; or harer to set (a dog) on.]
Defn: To fatigue; to tire with repeated and exhausting efforts; esp., to weary by importunity, teasing, or fretting; to cause to endure excessive burdens or anxieties; — sometimes followed by out. [Troops] harassed with a long and wearisome march. Bacon. Nature oppressed and harass'd out with care. Addison. Vext with lawyers and harass'd with debt. Tennyson.
Syn. — To weary; jade; tire; perplex; distress; tease; worry; disquiet; chafe; gall; annoy; irritate; plague; vex; molest; trouble; disturb; torment.
HARASS
Har"ass, n.
1. Devastation; waste. [Obs.] Milton.
2. Worry; harassment. [R.] Byron.
HARASSER
Har"ass*er, n.
Defn: One who harasses.
HARASSMENT
Har"ass*ment, n.
Defn: The act of harassing, or state of being harassed; worry;
annoyance; anxiety.
Little harassments which I am led to suspect do occasionally molest
the most fortunate. Ld. Lytton.