Wor·ry v. t. [imp. & p. p. Worried p. pr. & vb. n. Worrying.]
1. To harass by pursuit and barking; to attack repeatedly; also, to tear or mangle with the teeth.
A hellhound that doth hunt us all to death;
That dog that had his teeth before his eyes,
To worry lambs and lap their gentle blood. --Shak.
2. To harass or beset with importunity, or with care an anxiety; to vex; to annoy; to torment; to tease; to fret; to trouble; to plague. “A church worried with reformation.”
Let them rail,
And worry one another at their pleasure. --Rowe.
Worry him out till he gives consent. --Swift.
3. To harass with labor; to fatigue. [Colloq.]
worrying
adj : causing distress or worry or anxiety; "distressing (or
disturbing) news"; "lived in heroic if something
distressful isolation"; "a disturbing amount of crime";
"a revelation that was most perturbing"; "a new and
troubling thought"; "in a particularly worrisome
predicament"; "a worrying situation"; "a worrying time"
[syn: distressing, distressful, disturbing, perturbing,
troubling, worrisome]
n 1: the act of harassing someone [syn: badgering, torment, bedevilment]
2: the act of moving something by repeated tugs or pushes;
"vigorous worrying finally loosened the saw"