ˈtrʌbl n. & v. --n. 1
difficulty or
distress;
vexation,
affliction (am having trouble
with my car). 2 a
inconvenience;
unpleasant exertion;
bother (went to a
lot of trouble). b a
cause of
this (the
child was no trouble). 3 a cause of annoyance or
concern (the trouble with
you is
that you can't
say no). 4 a
faulty condition or
operation (kidney trouble;
engine trouble). 5 a fighting,
disturbance (crowd trouble; don't
want any trouble). b (in pl.)
political or
social unrest,
public disturbances. 6 disagreement,
strife (is having trouble at home). --v. 1 tr. cause distress or
anxiety to;
disturb (were
much troubled by
their debts). 2 intr. be disturbed or worried (don't trouble
about it). 3 tr.
afflict; cause
pain etc. to (am troubled with arthritis). 4 tr. & intr. (often refl.)
subject or be subjected to inconvenience or unpleasant exertion (sorry to trouble you; don't trouble
yourself; don't trouble to explain). øask (or look)
for trouble colloq.
invite trouble or difficulty by one's actions,
behaviour,
etc.;
behave rashly or indiscreetly. be no trouble cause no inconvenience etc. go to
the trouble (or
some trouble etc.)
exert oneself to do
something. in trouble 1 involved in a
matter likely to
bring censure or
punishment. 2 colloq.
pregnant while unmarried.
take trouble (or the trouble) exert oneself to do something. trouble
and strife rhymingsl.
wife. trouble
spot a
place where difficulties regularly
occur. øøtroubler n. [ME f. OF truble (n.), trubler, turbler (v.) ult. f. L turbidus TURBID]
