plague

¹plague

noun \ˈplāg\

Definition of PLAGUE

1

a : a disastrous evil or affliction : calamity

b : a destructively numerous influx <a plague of locusts>

2

a : an epidemic disease causing a high rate of mortality : pestilence

b : a virulent contagious febrile disease that is caused by a bacterium (Yersinia pestis) and that occurs in bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic forms —called also black death

3

a : a cause of irritation : nuisance

b : a sudden unwelcome outbreak <a plague of burglaries>

Examples of PLAGUE

1. The country was hit by a plague of natural disasters that year.
2. There has been a plague of bank robberies in the area.
3. a plague that swept through the tribe in the 1600s

Origin of PLAGUE

Middle English plage, from Late Latin plaga, from Latin, blow; akin to Latin plangere to strike — more at plaint

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PLAGUE

Synonyms

pest, pestilence

Related Words

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

Rhymes with PLAGUE

Haig, vague

²plague

transitive verb

plaguedplagu·ing

Definition of PLAGUE

1

: to smite, infest, or afflict with or as if with disease, calamity, or natural evil

2

a : to cause worry or distress to : hamper, burden

b : to disturb or annoy persistently

— plagu·er noun

Examples of PLAGUE

1. Computer viruses plague Internet users.
2. Crime plagues the inner city.
3. Drought and wildfires continue to plague the area.

First Known Use of PLAGUE

15th century

Related to PLAGUE

Synonyms

agonize, anguish, bedevil, beset, besiege, curse, excruciate, harrow, persecute, afflict, rack, torment, torture

Related Words

assail, attack; badger, dog, hound, pursue, ride; aggravate, agitate, annoy, bother, bug, chafe, distress, disturb, exasperate, gall, get, grate, gripe, hagride, harass, harry, irk, irritate, molest, nettle, peeve, pester, pique, put out, rasp, rile, vex; discomfort, discompose, disquiet, fluster, grieve, perturb, strain, stress, trouble, try, upset, worry; crush, oppress, overpower, overwhelm, smite, strike, tyrannize, victimize; hurt, pain, pang, prick, smart, stab, sting, wring; martyr

Near Antonyms

abet, aid, assist, help; deliver, release, relieve, reprieve; comfort, console, content, quiet, solace, soothe, succor

See Synonym Discussion at worry

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

plague

noun \ˈplāg\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PLAGUE

1

: an epidemic disease causing a high rate of mortality : pestilence <a plague of cholera>

2

: a virulent contagious febrile disease that is caused by a bacterium of the genus Yersinia (Y. pestis synonym Pasteurella pestis), that occurs in bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic forms, and that is usually transmitted from rats to humans by the bite of infected fleas (as in bubonic plague) or directly from person to person (as in pneumonic plague)—called also black death

plague

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Infectious fever caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, carried by the rat flea. It usually spreads to humans only when the flea runs out of rodent hosts. It takes three forms. Bubonic, the mildest, has characteristic swollen lymph nodes (buboes) and is spread only by the flea. It accounts for three-fourths of plague cases. Pneumonic plague has extensive lung involvement and is spread in droplets from the lungs; it is often fatal in three or four days without treatment. In septicemic plague, bacteria overwhelm the bloodstream and often cause death within 24 hours, before other symptoms have a chance to develop. In the 14th century, plague ravaged Europe and Asia and was called the Black Death. Plague does not respond to penicillin, but other antibiotics are effective. Sanitary measures against fleas and rodents, quarantine, and extreme caution in handling infectious materials help to suppress epidemics. A vaccine can prevent plague.