molest
[ muh-lest ]
verb (used with object)
to make indecent sexual advances to.
to assault sexually.
Older Use. to bother, interfere with, or annoy.
Origin of molest
1First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English molesten, from Latin molestāre “to irk,” derivative of molestus “irksome”; compare mōlēs “mass, burden, trouble”
synonym study For molest
3. See attack.
Other words for molest
Other words from molest
- mo·les·ta·tion [moh-le-stey-shuhn, mol-e-], /ˌmoʊ lɛˈsteɪ ʃən, ˌmɒl ɛ-/, noun
- mo·lest·er, noun
- mo·lest·ful, adjective
- un·mo·lest·ed, adjective
- un·mo·lest·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for molest
molest
/ (məˈlɛst) /
verb(tr)
to disturb or annoy by malevolent interference
to accost or attack, esp with the intention of assaulting sexually
Origin of molest
1C14: from Latin molestāre to annoy, from molestus troublesome, from mōlēs mass
Derived forms of molest
- molestation (ˌməʊlɛˈsteɪʃən), noun
- molester, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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