Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
From Middle English molesten, from Old French molester, from Latin molestare (“to trouble, annoy, molest”), from molestus (“troublesome”), from moles (“a burden, difficulty, labor, trouble”); see mole.
- To annoy intentionally
- To disturb or tamper with.
- They have molested the church with needless opposition.
- To sexually abuse, especially a minor
- The woman who molested the child she was babysitting has been arrested.
to annoy intentionally
- molest in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- molest in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911