Wor"ry (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Worried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Worrying.]
[OE. worowen, wirien, to strangle, AS. wyrgan in wyrgan; akin to D.
worgen, wurgen, to strangle, OHG. wurgen, G. würgen, Lith. verszti, and
perhaps to E. wring.]
1. To harass by pursuit and barking; to attack repeatedly; also, to
tear or mangle with the teeth.
A hellhound that doth hunt us all to death; That dog that had his teeth
before his eyes, To worry lambs and lap their gentle blood.
Shak.
2. To harass or beset with importunity, or with care an anxiety; to
vex; to annoy; to torment; to tease; to fret; to trouble; to plague. "A
church worried with reformation." South.
Let them rail, And worry one another at their pleasure.
Rowe.
Worry him out till he gives consent.
Swift.