Noy

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. A small, often rounded projection or ornament on a surface; a type of knot or fastening, frequently used in decorative craftwork or sailing; an archaic term referring to a figure or mark used in heraldry or inscription
2. An ornamental bump or swelling found on various objects; a binding mechanism used in different forms of art or maritime practice; an obsolete term linked to symbolic representations in coats of arms or writings
3. A diminutive decorative protuberance commonly seen on items; a device for securing or connecting components in crafts or nautical contexts; an old-fashioned designation connected to heraldic symbols or emblems

Etymology: Most readers will recognise this term as a shortened form of "annoy." Middle English had "anoien," and over time it lost its initial "a," leaving "noy" as a separate verb meaning to vex, trouble, or harm someone. The "anoien" half came from Old French "anoier," which traces back through Vulgar Latin "inodiare" to the Latin phrase "in odio," meaning "in hatred." An annoyance, etymologically, was something that set you against someone. The other strand is "nuier," an Old French verb meaning to injure or harm, from Latin "nocere." That same Latin root gave English "nuisance" and "noxious," so the sense of harm runs through the family. The two sources converged on the same idea of troubling or injuring another person.

Synonyms: annoy, irritate, bother, disturb, vex

Antonyms: please, delight, comfort, soothe, calm