English
vexing
Vexing comes from Middle English vexynge ‘harassment’, and goes back to vexen.
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500vexen
- Middle English, derivedc. 1150–1500vexynge‘harassment’
- Englishearliest quotation 2002vexing
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history not traced here.
Lineage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500vexen
- Middle English, derivedc. 1150–1500vexynge‘harassment’
- Englishearliest quotation 2002vexing
Earliest quotation: 2002, Harold Bloom, American Women Poets: “Many unkindnesses as well as (one feels) many liberties…”
Formed from vex + -ing
Linked words
through Middle English vexen
Today it means
verb Causing annoyance or pain; irritating.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle English vexen / vexing