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pestilence

 - 5 dictionary results

pes⋅ti⋅lence

  [pes-tl-uhns]
Use pestilence in a Sentence
–noun
1. a deadly or virulent epidemic disease.
2. bubonic plague.
3. something that is considered harmful, destructive, or evil.
Origin:
1275–1325; ME < MF < L pestilentia. See pestilent, -ence
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pes·ti·lence   (pěs'tə-ləns)   
n.  

  1. A usually fatal epidemic disease, especially bubonic plague.

  2. A pernicious, evil influence or agent.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

pestilence 
1303, from O.Fr. pestilence, from L. pestilentia "plague," noun of action from pestilentem (nom. pestilens) "infected, unwholesome, noxious," from pestis "deadly disease, plague."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: pes·ti·lence
Pronunciation: 'pes-t&-l&n(t)s
Function: noun
: a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulentand devastating; specifically : BUBONIC PLAGUE
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

pestilence pes·ti·lence (pěs'tə-ləns)
n.

  1. A usually fatal epidemic disease, especially bubonic plague.

  2. An epidemic of such a disease.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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