Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
aggravation - 4 dictionary results

ag⋅gra⋅va⋅tion

  [ag-ruh-vey-shuhn]
Use aggravation in a Sentence
–noun
1. an increase in intensity, seriousness, or severity; act of making worse: an aggravation of pain.
2. the state of being aggravated.
3. something that causes an increase in intensity, degree, or severity.
4. annoyance; exasperation: Johnny causes me so much aggravation!
5. a source or cause of annoyance or exasperation: Johnny's such an aggravation to her!
Origin:
1475–85; < ML aggravātiōn- (s. of aggravātiō); see aggravate, -ion

Usage note:
See aggravate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To aggravation
ag·gra·va·tion   (āg'rə-vā'shən)   
n.  
  1. The act of aggravating or the state of being aggravated.
  2. A source of continuing, increasing irritation or trouble.
  3. Exasperation.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Aggravation

Ag`gra*va"tion\, n. [LL. aggravatio: cf. F. aggravation.]

1. The act of aggravating, or making worse; -- used of evils, natural or moral; the act of increasing in severity or heinousness; something additional to a crime or wrong and enhancing its guilt or injurious consequences.

2. Exaggerated representation.

By a little aggravation of the features changed it into the Saracen's head. --Addison.

3. An extrinsic circumstance or accident which increases the guilt of a crime or the misery of a calamity.

4. Provocation; irritation. [Colloq.] --Dickens.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source

aggravation 
1481, from O.Fr. aggravation, from L.L. aggravationem (nom. aggravatio), noun of action from L. aggravare (pp. aggravatus) "make heavier," from ad- "to" + gravare "weigh down," from gravis "heavy" (see grave (adj.)). Oldest sense is "increasing in gravity or seriousness;" that of "irritation" is from 1611.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see aggravation on Thesaurus | Reference