Har"ass, n. 1.
Devastation; waste. [Obs.] Milton.
2. Worry; harassment. [R.]
Byron.
Har"ass (hăr"as), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Harassed (-ast);
p. pr. & vb. n. Harassing.] [F.
harasser; cf. OF. harace a basket made of cords,
harace, harasse,a very heavy and large shield; or
harer to set (a dog) on.] To fatigue; to tire with
repeated and exhausting efforts; esp., to weary by importunity,
teasing, or fretting; to cause to endure excessive burdens or
anxieties; -- sometimes followed by out.
[Troops] harassed with a long and wearisome
march.
Bacon.
Nature oppressed and harass'd out with
care.
Addison.
Vext with lawyers and harass'd with
debt.
Tennyson.
Syn. -- To weary; jade; tire; perplex; distress; tease;
worry; disquiet; chafe; gall; annoy; irritate; plague; vex; molest;
trouble; disturb; torment.