vexatious
adj/vɛkˈseɪʃəs/
Etymology a 1650 vexation + -ous
1
Causing vexation or annoyance; teasing; troublesome.
- Although this letter is vexatious, I must not forget that my little entertainment has brought me a visiter in the Marquess of Wentworthdale, on an errand of no small moment, as the Countess of Rotheles may soon learn, to her surprise, for I shall, probably, see him at the Opera to-night.1838 (date written), L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XXI, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], published 1842, →OCLC, page 259:
2
Archaic Full of trouble or disquiet
- He leads a vexatious life.1644, Kenelm Digby, Two Treatises, To My Son Kenelm Digby (preface):
3
Law Of an action Commenced for the purpose of giving trouble, without due cause.
- a vexatious lawsuit
4
Law Of a party or entity In the habit of starting vexatious litigation and therefore liable to have restraints placed on one's ability to access the courts.
- a vexatious litigant
- Derived terms
- vexatiously, vexatiousness