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DictionaryRoot: molestare
Latin

molestare

trouble, disturb, or annoy

Forms

  • molestare
  • molestat- — The form used for completed action.

Origin

Formed from Latin molestus, “troublesome,” traditionally associated with a burden.

Note

Its older range was broader than the particular offenses most associated with molest today.

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noun

molestation

moh-leh-STAY-shuhn/ˌməʊleˈsteɪʃn/

Abusive sexual contact, especially with a child.

The woman resists the man’s unwanted sexual contact in a scene of molestation.

Fully clothed adult woman forcefully stops an adult man's unwanted hand at her hip, recoiling distressed with raised stop palm; another adult intervenes supportively.
Etymology
molestLatintrouble, disturb, or annoy
+ationLatinan action, process, or result

The action noun built on molestare originally meant annoying or harassing someone. Its selected sexual sense follows the verb’s narrowing from general disturbance to sexual assault or abuse.

In context

MCC East Bay (Muslim Community Center)71:54
sexual molestation being physically abused dr romar johnson who counsels african-american youth
Losing My Religion: How to Grapple with Postmodernism | Ustadh Dr. Ali Ataie (Improved Audio)

More examples

  • The organization introduced safeguards against molestation.
  • The survivor spoke about recovering after molestation.
  • The report criticized officials who ignored complaints of molestation.

Forms

molestation

Similar words

sexual abuse
Sexual abuse is the broader term; molestation commonly names abusive sexual touching.
assault
Assault includes various attacks; molestation here specifically concerns sexual abuse.