verminous

adjective

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ver·min·ous | \ ˈvər-mə-nəs

Definition of verminous

1 : consisting of or being vermin : noxious

2 : forming a breeding place for or infested by vermin : filthy verminous garbage

3 : caused by vermin verminous disease

Examples of verminous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Men, women and children languished there in conditions of almost unimaginable squalor, brutality, overcrowding, starvation, verminous infestation and neglect. — Patrick Mcgrath, New York Times, 28 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'verminous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for verminous

vermin + -ous, probably originally after Latin verminōs "infested with maggots," from vermin- (base of vermināre "to be affected with griping pains, to be infested with maggots"—latter sense by false association with vermis "worm"—derivative of vermina "racking pains") + -ōsus -ose entry 1