Definition of aggravation

The word "aggravation" has a fascinating history! It originated in the 15th century from the Latin words "aggravare," meaning "to make heavier" or "to make more severe," and "atus," a suffix forming a noun. Initially, the word referred to the act of increasing the weight or severity of something, such as a physical burden or a legal penalty. Over time, the meaning of "aggravation" expanded to include emotional and mental states, such as annoyance, frustration, or irritation. In the 17th century, the OED recorded the phrase "to aggravate one's self" to mean "to make oneself more vexed or troubled." Today, we use the word to describe a range of frustrating experiences, from traffic jams to pesky insects! Despite its evolution, the core idea of "aggravation" remains rooted in the idea of something becoming more burdensome or distressing.