a. Also 6 vexacyus. [f. prec.: see -IOUS.]
1. Causing, tending or disposed to cause, vexation (in later use in sense 3): a. Of persons, their disposition, etc.
1534. Star Chamber Cases (Selden), II. 319. Henry … of his vexacyus mynde purchased a writte of monstrauerunt in the Comen place ageynst the seid defendaunt.
1651. W. G., trans. Cowel’s Inst., 246. They might meerly through envy, and the pleasure they took in being vexatious, take men upon Writs.
1676. Wycherley, Pl. Dealer, I. i. She is as vexatious as her Father was, the great Attorney.
1715. Lond. Gaz., No. 5343/2. The Townsmen … are … turbulent and vexatious to the Regiment.
1738. Wesley, Psalms, CXVIII. iv. Begirt with Hosts of Enemies Vexatious as thick-swarming Bees.
1853. Dickens, Bleak Ho., xxiv. The Lord Chancellor described him, in open court, as a vexatious and capricious infant.
b. Of things.
1664. Power, Exp. Philos., III. 184. If he could but stiffly wrangle out a vexatious dispute of some odd Peripatetick qualities.
a. 1680. Butler, Rem. (1759), II. 38. Flies and Gnats are more vexatious in hot Climates, than Creatures that are able to do greater Mischiefs.
1705–6. Penn, in Pennsylv. Hist. Soc. Mem., X. 108. The business of Beaumont proves very vexatious to me here.
1751. Johnson, Rambler, No. 176, ¶ 1. There are many vexatious accidents and uneasy situations which raise little compassion for the sufferer.
1804. Abernethy, Surg. Obs., 101. The opening of the cyst generally leaves a vexatious and intractable sore.
1842. Loudon, Suburban Hort., 709. It is most vexatious to find a fruit tree has been planted untrue to name.
1869. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1875), III. xii. 75. It is somewhat vexatious that we have to trust almost wholly to authorities on one side.
c. spec. Of legal actions: Instituted without sufficient grounds for the purpose of causing trouble or annoyance to the defendant.
1677. Yarranton, Eng. Improv., 9. It is a Sin, that a Gentleman should be the occasion of ruining so many Families … by putting them to such vexatious Suits for their Moneys lent.
1696–7. Act 8–9 William III., c. 11. Diverse evil disposed Persons are incouraged to bring frivolous and vexatious Actions.
1746. Francis, trans. Hor., Sat., I. vi. 6. Persius had wealth by foreign traffic gain’d, And a vexatious suit with King maintain’d.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), II. vi. 72. Their courts were unceasingly occupied with vexatious suits.
transf. 1909. H. M. Gwatkin, Early Ch. Hist., I. viii. 142. If the charge turns out vexatious (calumniæ gratia) the accuser shall be severely punished.
† 2. Full of trouble or uneasiness. Obs.
1644. Digby, Two Treat., Ded. a iij b. He leadeth a vexatious life, that in his noblest actions is so gored with scruples, that he dareth not make a steppe, without the authority of an other to warrant him.
1671. H. M., trans. Erasm. Colloq., 529. Riches and honours which bring not a pleasant, but rather a careful and vexatious life.
† 3. Vexed, annoyed. Obs.–1
1756. Toldervy, Hist. 2 Orphans, IV. 106. Heartley grew vexatious with himself for having parted with the watch.
