vexātĭo, ōnis, f. [vexo], a violent movement, shaking.
I Lit. (rare): partus, Plin. 28, 19, 77, § 253: minima pomorum, Petr. 60: ipsā enim vexatione constringitur (arbor) et radices certius figit, Sen. Prov. 4, 16.—
II Trop., agitation , trial : nisi agitetur (virtus), nisi assiduā vexatione roboretur, non potest esse perfecta, Lact. 3, 29, 26.—
III Transf., in gen., discomfort , annoyance , hardship , distress; trouble , vexation : corporis, Cic. Tusc. 4, 8, 18: vulneris, Liv. 21, 48, 7: cum omni genere vexationis processerunt, id. 44, 5, 8: viae, Col. 1, 3, 3: stomachi, Plin. 31, 6, 35, § 68: dentes sine vexatione extrahere, id. 32, 7, 26, § 791: ut virgines Vestales ex acerbissimā vexatione eriperem, Cic. Cat. 4, 1, 2: vexatio direptioque sociorum, id. ib. 1, 7, 18: per vexationem et contumelias, Liv. 38, 59, 9: multā cum vexatione, Curt. 5, 4, 21: sine magnā vexatione, id. 6, 5, 13.—
B Persecution , Sulp. Sev. 1, 1, 3.