Main Entry:

pest

Pronunciation:

\ˈpest\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle French peste, from Latin pestis

Date:

1513

1: an epidemic disease associated with high mortality ; specifically : plague2: something resembling a pest in destructiveness ; especially : a plant or animal detrimental to humans or human concerns (as agriculture or livestock production)3: one that pesters or annoys : nuisance

— pesty \ˈpes-tē\ adjective