molest

English

Etymology

From Middle English molesten, from Old French molester, from Latin molestare (“to trouble, annoy, molest”), from molestus (“troublesome”), from moles (“a burden, difficulty, labor, trouble”); see mole.

Verb

molest (third-person singular simple present molests, present participle molesting, simple past and past participle molested)

  1. To annoy intentionally.
  2. To disturb or tamper with.
    • Hooker
      They have molested the church with needless opposition.
  3. To sexually assault or sexually harass, especially a minor.

Derived terms

Translations

Further reading

  • molest in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • molest in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

Anagrams

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