pestilence

pes·ti·lence

noun \ˈpes-tə-lən(t)s\

Definition of PESTILENCE

1

: a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating; especially : bubonic plague

2

: something that is destructive or pernicious <I'll pour this pestilence into his ear — Shakespeare>

Examples of PESTILENCE

1. After years of war and pestilence, few people remained in the city.
2. <the fear that terrorists could unleash a pestilence that would wreak unspeakable havoc>

First Known Use of PESTILENCE

14th century

Related to PESTILENCE

Synonyms: pest, plague

Related Words: murrain; epidemic, pandemic; affection, affliction, ailment, contagion, illness, infection, infirmity, malady, sickness; blight, curse, scourge

[+]more[-]hide