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empest

transitive verb
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em·​pest | \ ə̇m, em+ \
-ed/-ing/-s

Definition of empest

: to infect with or as if with a contagion sleeping in an empested atmosphere— Aldous Huxley

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First Known Use of empest

circa 1617, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for empest

en- entry 1 + pest (noun)

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The first known use of empest was circa 1617

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Cite this Entry

“Empest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empest. Accessed 26 Jan. 2021.

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