Molesting

/məˈlɛstɪŋ/ verb (gerund)

Definition

Bothering, annoying, or harassing someone; or committing sexual assault (the serious criminal meaning).

Etymology

From Latin 'molestus' (troublesome, difficult), originally just meant pestering or annoying, but in modern English the word primarily carries the severe legal meaning of sexual assault.

Kelly Says

This word traveled a dark road: starting as 'just annoying someone,' the criminal meaning became so dominant that saying someone is 'molesting' you for minor annoying things now sounds wildly dramatic!

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