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 : plague
2 : 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