[f. as prec. + -ING2.]
† 1. Bringing a charge against; accusatory. Obs.
1640–4. in Rushworth’s Hist. Coll. (1692), IV. 250. The Articles of Impeachment … were carried up to the Lords, and a smart aggravating Speech made at the delivery of them.
2. Adding weight, effect, intensity. Usually in an evil sense, Making worse, or more heinous.
1790. Beatson, Nav. & Mil. Mem., I. 27. Dragged from their master’s house, with very aggravating circumstances.
3. fam. Exasperating, irritating, provoking.
1775. Ash, Aggravating, exaggerating, provoking.
1825. J. Neal, Bro. Jonathan, III. 383. Say no more, that’s enough, rather aggravatin’ though, at first.
1865. Dickens, Mut. Fr., xv. 381. You’re an … aggravating, bad old creature!
