Har"ass (h&acr;r"as), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Harassed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Harassing.] [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.]

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.

 

© Webster 1913.


Har"ass, n.

1.

Devastation; waste.

[Obs.]

Milton.

2.

Worry; harassment.

[R.]

Byron.

 

© Webster 1913.

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