molestation

noun

mo·​les·​ta·​tion ˌmōˌleˈstāshən 

-ˌləˈ-

plural -s

1

a

archaic : a cause or state of harassment : vexation

all the molestations of marriage are abundantly recompensed with other comforts

—Thomas Fuller

b

: an act or instance of molesting : annoyance, obstruction

liberty to … worship without molestation

—William Sewel

seas upon which our ships and planes can travel without molestation

—U.S. Code

2

a

Scots law : interference with or troubling another in his possession of land

b

: willful injury inflicted upon another by interference with his user of rights as to person, character, social position, or property

Word History

Etymology

Middle English molestacioun, from Middle French molestation, from Late Latin molestation-, molestatio, from Latin molestatus (past participle of molestare) + -ion-, -io -ion

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Rhymes for molestation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation