עָצַב (b. h.) 1) to cut, form, shape. —2) (cmp. יָגָה a. יָגוֹן) to cut, grieve, pain.
Pi. - עִיצֵּב to shape, handle, esp. to straighten an infant’s body by manipulation. Sabb. XXII, 6 אין מְעַצְּבִין את הקטן you must not manipulate a child (on the Sabbath), expl. ib. 147ᵇ בחומרי שדרה straightening the vertebra (v. לְפַף). Tosef. Kel. B. Mets. II, 9 שהוא מְעַצֵּב עליה וכ׳ because he (the surgeon) manipulates children thereon.
Hif. - הֶעֱצִיב to grieve. Gen. R. s. 44 (ref. to Ps. CXXXIX, 24) אם עתיד … (ו)להַעֲצִיבְךָ וכ׳ if it be my destiny to rear children who are to grieve thee, it is better that thou shouldst lead me in the way of the world (death); (Yalk. Ps. 888 ולהכעיסך).
Hithpa. - הִתְעַצֵּב,
Nithpa. - נִתְעַצֵּב to be grieved, mourn. Snh. 38ᵇ שמח בתורתו ונ׳ במיתתו he rejoiced over his (R. ‘Ăkiba’s) learning, and mourned over his death (predestined martyrdom).