lacessō īvī, ītus, ere lacio (obsol.), 1 LAC-, to excite, provoke, challenge, exasperate, irritate: ferro virum: virum voce, V.: me amabis et scripto aliquo lacesses, i. e. force me to write in return: si non lacessisset prior, T.: hostīs proelio, i. e. assail, Cs.: te iniuriā: Saguntini nec lacessentes nec lacessiti, L.: leonem, H.: aera Sole lacessita (i. e. percussa radiis solis), struck with the sunbeams' glitter, V.: taurus ventos lacessit ictibus, tosses defiance, V.

—To urge, arouse, excite, stimulate, shake, move: ad philosophas scriptiones: ad pugnam, L.: aurigae manibus lacessunt Pectora plausa cavis, pat their breasts, V.: bella, V.: deos (precibus), importune, H.: pelagus carinā, defy, H.

— To call forth, arouse, produce: sermones: ferrum, V.