Vex, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vexed; p. pr. & vb. n. Vexing.]
Etymology: [F. vexer, L. vexare, vexatum, to vex, originally, to shake, toss, in carrying, v. intens. fr. vehere, vectum, to carry. See Vehicle.]
1. To to White curl the waves, and the vexed ocean roars. Pope.
2. To make angry or annoyed by little provocations; to irritate; to plague; to torment; to harass; to afflict; to trouble; to tease. "I will not vex your souls." Shak. Then thousand torments vex my heart. Prior.
3. To twist; to weave. [R.] Some English wool, vexed in a Belgian loom. Dryden.
Syn. -- See Tease.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Vex, v. i.
To be irritated; to fret. [R.] Chapman.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for vex; he lists it under affront.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.