molest
[muh-lest]
- to bother, interfere with, or annoy.
- to make indecent sexual advances to.
- to assault sexually.
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Origin of molest
1325–75; Middle English molesten < Latin molestāre to irk, derivative of molestus irksome; compare mōlēs mass, burden, trouble
Synonyms
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
fondleaccostmaltreatrapeinjureteasefrightenharassabusetormentpersecutescareterrifyhinderdisturbintrudedisorganizedisplacehurtattackExamples from the Web for molest
Historical Examples
Of such as wandering near her secret bower, Molest her ancient solitary reign.
molest
- to disturb or annoy by malevolent interference
- to accost or attack, esp with the intention of assaulting sexually
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Word Origin
C14: from Latin molestāre to annoy, from molestus troublesome, from mōlēs mass
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for molest
v.
late 14c., "to cause trouble, grief, or vexation," from Old French molester "to torment, trouble, bother" (12c.) and directly from Latin molestare "to disturb, trouble, annoy," from molestus "troublesome, annoying, unmanageable," perhaps related to moles "mass" (see mole (n.3)) on notion of either "burden" or "barrier." Meaning "sexually assault" first attested 1950. Related: Molested; molesting.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper