Origin: 1530–40; perh. aph. var. of
empester, impester to tangle, encumber (though
pester is found earlier than these 2 words) < MF
empestrer to hobble, entangle < VL
*impāstōriāre to hobble, equiv. to
im- im- 1 +
pāstōri(
a) a hobble, n. use of L
pāstōrius of a herdsman or shepherd +
-āre inf. suffix (
see pastor ); aph. form appar. reinforced by
pest (
cf. -er 6 )
Related forms: pes⋅ter⋅er, noun
pes⋅ter⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
pes⋅ter⋅some, adjective
Synonyms:
1. annoy, vex, tease, disturb; irritate, provoke, plague; badger, harry, hector.
Antonyms:
1. delight, entertain.
[pes-ter] 