ateneEtymologyFrom Middle English atenen, ateonen, from Old English *ātēonian, *ātȳnan, *ātīenan, from a- + tēonian (“to injure, irritate, slander”), and tȳnan, tīenan (“to irritate, vex, trouble, insult, revile”), equivalent to a- + teen.atene means To irritate; grill; vex; annoy. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 74 out of 100.verbTo irritate; grill; vex; annoy.