See Also: worry(medicine)
worry(1)(dictionary)
worry(2)(dictionary)
worry 1, verb(dictionary)
worry 2, noun(dictionary)
worry beads(dictionary)

worry(2) (iou)



worry verb.

verb trans. Strangle. Formerly also, kill, strike dead. Long obsolete exc. Scot. OE.
Long obsolete exc. Scot.
a. verb trans. Choke (a person or animal) on or with a mouthful of food; (of food) cause to choke. ME.
b. verb intrans. Be choked (on), choke on. LME.
verb trans. Devour, gobble up. Now Scot. & north. ME.
verb trans. Esp. of a dog or wolf: seize by the throat with the teeth and pull about or tear; kill or injure by biting and shaking. Later also gen., bite at or use the teeth on (an object), esp. repeatedly or vigorously. ME.
T. Medwin A dog who once takes to worry sheep never leaves off the habit. transf.: Dryden He grew familiar with her hand, Squeez'd it, and worry'd it with ravenous kisses.
b. verb intrans. Pull or tear at (an object) with the teeth. L19.
G. McInnes A huge airedale was worrying at my leg.
verb trans. Harass, harry, attack repeatedly or persistently; handle roughly; get or bring into a specified state, place, etc., by harassment or persistent effort. M16.
worry out obtain (the solution of a problem etc.) by dogged effort.
E. A. Freeman Edward the Third was worried into war by the aggression of Philip. Anthony Hope If he got hold of a problem, he would worry it to a solution.
verb trans. Irritate or distress by inconsiderate or demanding behaviour; pester. L17.
Dickens You worry me to death with your chattering. J. B. Priestley They won't really do anything but worry you with questions.
verb intrans. W. adverb (phr.): advance or progress by persistent effort; force or make one's way. L17.
worry along, worry through manage to advance by persistence in spite of obstacles, persevere, keep going.
W. Irving He worried from top to bottom of the castle with an air of infinite anxiety. R. Kipling When the wind worries through the 'ills.
verb trans. Cause mental distress or agitation to (a person, oneself); make anxious and ill at ease; refl. (usu. in neg. contexts) take needless trouble. E19.
worry oneself sick: see SICK adjective.
Dickens I quite fret and worry myself about her. A. Trollope Men when they are worried by fears..become suspicious. E. Bowen He did not allow his handicap to worry him.
verb intrans. Give way to anxiety, unease, or disquietude; allow one's mind to dwell on difficulties or troubles. M19.
I should worry Austral. colloq. it doesn't worry me at all. not to worry: see NOT adverb.
Time Leave everything to me and don't worry. B. Spock They worry about the baby's crying..suspecting that something is seriously wrong.
Comb.: worry-guts, worry-wart colloq. an inveterate worrier, a person who habitually worries unduly.
worrier noun (a) an animal that kills or injures others by biting and rough treatment; (b) a habitually anxious person, a person inclined to worry: M16.
worryingly adverb in a worrying manner; to a worrying degree: M19.