bother

both•er

[[t]ˈbɒð ər[/t]] v. t.

1) to give trouble to; annoy; pester:

Noise bothers me[/ex]

2) to bewilder; confuse:

His inability to get the joke bothered him[/ex]

3) to worry; distress:

It bothers us that she is so careless[/ex]

4) to take the trouble; trouble or inconvenience oneself:

Don't bother to call[/ex]

5) something or someone troublesome or burdensome

6) effort, work, or worry:

Gardening takes more bother than it's worth[/ex]

7) a worried or perplexed state:

Don't get into such a bother about small matters[/ex]

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Etymology: 1710–20; orig. Hiberno-E syn: bother, annoy, plague imply persistent interference with one's comfort or peace of mind. To bother is to cause irritation or weariness, esp. by repeated interruptions in the midst of pressing duties: Don't bother me while I'm working. To annoy is to cause mild irritation or mental disturbance, as by repetition of an action that displeases: The dog's constant barking annoyed the neighbors. To plague is to trouble or bother, but usu. connotes severe mental distress: The family was plagued by lack of money.