irksomeness

1 definition found

irksomeness - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Irksome \Irk"some\, a.
     1. Wearisome; tedious; disagreeable or troublesome by reason
        of long continuance or repetition; as, irksome hours;
        irksome tasks.
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              For not to irksome toil, but to delight,
              He made us.                           --Milton.
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     2. Weary; vexed; uneasy. [Obs.]
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              Let us therefore learn not to be irksome when God
              layeth his cross upon us.             --Latimer.
  
     Syn: Wearisome; tedious; tiresome; vexatious; burdensome.
  
     Usage: Irksome, Wearisome, Tedious. These epithets
            describe things which give pain or disgust. Irksome is
            applied to something which disgusts by its nature or
            quality; as, an irksome task. Wearisome denotes that
            which wearies or wears us out by severe labor; as,
            wearisome employment. Tedious is applied to something
            which tires us out by the length of time occupied in
            its performance; as, a tedious speech.
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                  Wearisome nights are appointed to me. --Job vii.
                                                    3.
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                  Pity only on fresh objects stays,
                  But with the tedious sight of woes decays.
                                                    --Dryden.
            -- Irk"some*ly, adv. -- Irk"some*ness, n.
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