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.