molested
Meaning
Past tense and past participle of molest. To assault or interfere with (someone, especially a child or woman) sexually.
Past tense and past participle of molest. To pester or harass (someone) in a hostile or aggressive way.
Structure
Usage
The victim testified that she was molested as a child.
The report confirmed that the prisoners had been physically molested by their captors.
He was arrested for having molested several young boys over a period of years.
Etymology
The word 'molested' originates from the Latin adjective molestus, meaning "troublesome" or "annoying," which itself derives from moles, signifying a "mass" or "burden." This etymological path reflects the concept of a heavy trouble being imposed upon someone. In English, the verb 'molest' initially carried the general sense of causing annoyance or interference, a meaning still present in legal contexts like "molesting a witness." Over time, and particularly in the 20th century, its usage narrowed and intensified, becoming predominantly associated with sexual assault, especially against children. The '-ed' suffix is the standard Germanic marker for the past tense, completing the word's form to describe an action that has been carried out.
Analysis
molest: From Latin molestus (troublesome, annoying), from moles (mass, burden, exertion). Functions as the verb root meaning to trouble or disturb. ed: From Old English -ede, -ode, -ade (past tense suffix for weak verbs). Functions as the inflectional suffix indicating past tense or past participle.