different between harass vs noseeum

English

Etymology

From Old French harasser (“to tire out, to vex”), of obscure origin, perhaps from Old French harer (“to stir up, provoke, set a dog on”) and/or Old French harier (“to harry”); see harry; compare Old French harace (“a basket made of cords”), harace, harasse (“a very heavy and large shield”).

Pronunciation

• (General American) enPR: h?r?s?, h??r?s, IPA^(key): /h???æs/, /?hæ??s/
• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: h??r?s, h?r?s?, IPA^(key): /?hæ??s/, /h???æs/
• Rhymes: -æs
• Rhymes: -ær?s

Verb

harass (third-person singular simple present harasses, present participle harassing, simple past and past participle harassed)

1. To fatigue or to tire with repeated and exhausting efforts.
2. To annoy endlessly or systematically.

   Synonyms: beset, chevy, hassle, harry, molest, plague, provoke

   • 1877, Anna Sewell, Black Beauty Chapter 23[1]

     In my old home, I always knew that John and my master were my friends; but here, although in many ways I was well treated, I had no friend. York might have known, and very likely did know, how that rein harassed me; but I suppose he took it as a matter of course that could not be helped; at any rate nothing was done to relieve me.

3. To put excessive burdens upon; to subject to anxieties.

Derived terms

• harasser
• harassful
• harassment

Translations

Noun

harass

1. (obsolete) devastation; waste
2. (obsolete) worry; harassment

   • The daily harass, and the fight delay'd

Further reading

• harass in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• harass in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Anagrams

• hassar

English

Alternative forms

• no-see-em
• no-see-um

Etymology

Shortened no see them.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /no??si.?m/, enPR: n?s???m
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /n???si?.?m/, enPR: n?s???m
• Hyphenation: no?see?um

Noun

noseeum (plural noseeums)

1. (colloquial) a biting midge, a small flying insect that harasses people out of doors, particularly in warm weather after sunset.

Synonyms

• punkie
• sandfly