infest
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in·fest

transitive verb \in-ˈfest\

Definition of INFEST

1
: to spread or swarm in or over in a troublesome manner <a slum infested with crime> <shark-infested waters>
2
: to live in or on as a parasite
in·fes·tant \-ˈfes-tənt\ noun
in·fes·ta·tion \ˌin-ˌfes-ˈtā-shən\ noun
in·fest·er \in-ˈfes-tər\ noun

Examples of INFEST

  1. <in desperation, we called in an exterminator because the house was infested with ants>

Origin of INFEST

French infester, from Latin infestare, from infestus hostile
First Known Use: 1602

Related to INFEST

in·fest

transitive verb \in-ˈfest\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of INFEST

: to live in or on as a parasite <the flea that infests cats> <horses infested with worms>—compare infect

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