Bane

Bane is a noun that refers to a cause of great distress or annoyance. The Old English word bana (BAH nah) means ‘death or poison.’ In time this word drifted into English with a less lethal meaning. It now simply refers to a source of irritation or frustration. Example: That annoying construction crew next door has become the bane of the neighborhood. How can anybody get any sleep with all that noise?