[vex] vt vexed also vext ; vex.ing [ME, fr. MF vexer, fr. L vexare to agitate, harry; prob. akin to L vehere to convey--more at way] (15c) 1 a: to bring trouble, distress, or agitation to "the restaurant is ~ed by slow service" b: to bring physical distress to "a headache ~ed him all morning" c: to irritate or annoy by petty provocations: harass "~ed by the children" d: puzzle, baffle "a problem to ~ the keenest wit"
2: to shake or toss about syn see annoy