| 释义 |
vexatious, a.|vɛkˈseɪʃəs|
Also 6 vexacyus.
[f. prec.: see -ious.]
1. Causing, tending or disposed to cause, vexation (in later use in sense 3):
a. Of persons, their disposition, etc.
1534Star Chamber Cases (Selden) II. 319 Henry..of his vexacyus mynde purchased a writte of monstrauerunt in the Comen place ageynst the seid defendaunt. 1651G. W. tr. Cowel's Inst. 246 They might meerly through envy, and the pleasure they took in being vexatious, take men upon Writs. 1676Wycherley Pl. Dealer i. i, She is as vexatious as her Father was, the great Attorney. 1715Lond. Gaz. No. 5343/2 The Townsmen..are..turbulent and vexatious to the Regiment. 1738Wesley Psalms cxviii. iv, Begirt with Hosts of Enemies Vexatious as thick-swarming Bees. 1853Dickens Bleak Ho. xxiv, The Lord Chancellor described him, in open court, as a vexatious and capricious infant.
b. Of things.
1664Power Exp. Philos. iii. 184 If he could but stiffly wrangle out a vexatious dispute of some odd Peripatetick qualities. a1680Butler Rem. (1759) II. 38 Flies and Gnats are more vexatious in hot Climates, than Creatures that are able to do greater Mischiefs. 1705–6Penn in Pennsylv. Hist. Soc. Mem. X. 108 The business of Beaumont proves very vexatious to me here. 1751Johnson Rambler No. 176 ⁋1 There are many vexatious accidents and uneasy situations which raise little compassion for the sufferer. 1804Abernethy Surg. Obs. 101 The opening of the cyst generally leaves a vexatious and intractable sore. 1842Loudon Suburban Hort. 709 It is most vexatious to find a fruit tree has been planted untrue to name. 1869Freeman Norm. Conq. (1875) III. xii. 75 It is somewhat vexatious that we have to trust almost wholly to authorities on one side.
c. spec. Of legal actions: Instituted without sufficient grounds for the purpose of causing trouble or annoyance to the defendant.
1677A. Yarranton Eng. Improv. 9 It is a Sin, that a Gentleman..should be the occasion of ruining so many Families..by putting them to such vexatious Suits for their Moneys lent. 1696–7Act 8–9 William III, c. 11 Diverse evil disposed Persons are incouraged to bring frivolous and vexatious Actions. 1746Francis tr. Hor., Sat. i. vi. 6 Persius had wealth by foreign traffic gain'd, And a vexatious suit with King maintain'd. 1856Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) II. vi. 72 Their courts were unceasingly occupied with vexatious suits.
transf.1909H. M. Gwatkin Early Ch. Hist. I. viii. 142 If the charge turns out vexatious (calumniæ gratia) the accuser shall be severely punished.
†2. Full of trouble or uneasiness. Obs.
1644Digby Two Treat. Ded. a iij b, He leadeth a vexatious life, that in his noblest actions is so gored with scruples, that he dareth not make a steppe, without the authority of an other to warrant him. 1671H. M. tr. Erasm. Colloq. 529 Riches and honours which bring not a pleasant, but rather a careful and vexatious life.
†3. Vexed, annoyed. Obs.—1
1756W. Toldervy Hist. 2 Orphans IV. 106 Heartley grew vexatious with himself for having parted with the watch. |