Emily Dickinson Lexicon

WOR'RY, v.t. [Sax. werig, malign, vexations; werigan, werian, to disturb, to tease, to harass, to weary; or Dan. uroe, trouble, Sw. oro. The sense of tearing does not properly belong to this word. It may have that sense as secondary.]

1. To tease; to trouble; to harass with importunity, or wit care and anxiety. Persons are often worried with care and solicitude. Let them rail / And then worry one another at their pleasure. – Rowe. Worry him out till he gives his consent. – Swift. A church worried with reformation. – South.
2. To fatigue; to harass with labor; a popular sense of the word.
3. To harass by pursuit and barking; as, dogs worry sheep.
4. To tear; to mangle with the teeth.
5. To vex; to persecute brutally.