Vexation

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /vɛkˈseɪʃn̩/

Definitions

1. A feeling of annoyance, frustration, or distress caused by something that troubles or irritates
2. a state of being deeply annoyed or frustrated by something that troubles one's mind
3. the condition of feeling irritated and disturbed by circumstances or actions that cause displeasure

Etymology: Latin "vexare" meant to shake or jolt violently, and the Romans used it for both physical rough handling and for harassment. The noun "vexātiō" carried that same range, so in its original sense a vexation could be a literal shaking as much as a mental disturbance. English took the word through Anglo-Norman and Old French, where it already covered physical suffering and unjustified legal harassment, and the Middle English form "vexacioun" kept those senses alongside anxiety and distress. The word is a doublet of "quake," which comes from the same Latin root and kept the physical sense of shaking more directly. Vexation narrowed over the centuries toward the feeling it now names: a low-grade irritation rather than a violent jolt or persecution. The English word is built from "vex" plus the suffix "-ation," which turns a verb into a noun for an action or its result.

Synonyms: annoyance, irritation, frustration, displeasure, distress

Antonyms: contentment, calm, pleasure, satisfaction