• Pestilence

    Origin

    From Middle English, from Old French, from Latin pestilentia ("plague"), from pestilens ("infected, unwholesome, noxious"); see pestilent.

    Full definition of pestilence

    Noun

    pestilence

    (plural pestilences)
    1. Any epidemic disease that is highly contagious, infectious, virulent and devastating.
      • 1949 - Bruce Kiskaddon, George R. Stewart, Earth_AbidesThe snowshoe-rabbits build up through the years until they reach a climax when they seem to be everywhere; then with dramatic suddenness their pestilence falls upon them.
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