worry

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To be troubled

   To be troubled; to give way to mental anxiety or doubt.

   • So you go along for a long time / And nothing seems to worry your mind / But what it adds up to / It's the side effect / That finally gets to you
2. 2

   Disturb the peace of mind of

   Disturb the peace of mind of; afflict with mental agitation or distress; to exercise.

   • Your tone of voice worries me.
   • That worries the government, which fears that environmental activism could become the foundation for more general political opposition.
3. 3

   To harass

   To harass; to irritate or distress.

   • The President was worried into military action by persistent advisors.
4. ›+ 6 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To seize or shake by the throat, especially of a dog or wolf.

      • Your dog’s been worrying sheep again.
      • This is the Dog, that worried the Cat, that killed the Rat, that ate the Malt, that lay in the Houſe that Jack built.
   2. 5

      To touch repeatedly

      To touch repeatedly; to fiddle with.

      • Christian paced the caravan, worrying his beard.
      • So what if I wanted to touch my nose to the windshield? Who was it hurting? Why was it that he could repeatedly worry his change and bite his lower lip without the threat of punishment?
      • No stories, no arguments. He just worries his prayer beads.
   3. 6

      To strangle.

      • We read (Law's Memor. Pref. lix.) that "one John Brugh, a notorious warlock (wizard) in the parochin of Fossoquhy, by the space of thirty-six years, was worried at a stake and burned, 1643."
   4. 7

      A strong feeling of anxiety.

      • I'm afflicted by worry throughout the night.
      • "Worry never solved any problems. Only gives you ulcers."
   5. 8

      An instance or cause of such a feeling.

      • My main worry is that I'll miss the train.
   6. 9

      A person who causes worry.

      • They could never make him speak a word, although he was old enough, in short, he was a perfect worry night and day.

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