Anoyaunce

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An obsolete spelling of annoyance, meaning a feeling of irritation or the state of being troubled by something
2. Archaic term for the vexation or irritation caused when someone or something troubles and disturbs a person
3. Old form of annoyance describing the displeasure, trouble or harassment that one person causes another

Etymology: "Anoyaunce" is an obsolete spelling of "annoyance," used in Middle English when spelling of French-derived words was not yet standardized. Its ending reflects the Anglo-Norman and Old French forms that English borrowed, which were written with several variants of "-ance" and "-aunce." The root is more striking. "Annoy" comes from Old French "anoier," probably from Vulgar Latin "*inodiare," built on Latin "in odio," meaning "in hatred." Early English uses of "annoy" were stronger than the modern sense of mild irritation. Writers used it to mean to harm, injure, or cause serious distress, so the original hostility survived in the word for quite a while.