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Definition of pestilent - 2 dictionary results

pes⋅ti⋅lent

  [pes-tl-uhnt]
Use pestilent in a Sentence
–adjective
1. producing or tending to produce infectious or contagious, often epidemic, disease; pestilential.
2. destructive to life; deadly; poisonous.
3. injurious to peace, morals, etc.; pernicious.
4. troublesome, annoying, or mischievous.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L pestilent- (s. of pestilēns) unhealthy, noxious, alter. of pestilentus, equiv. to pesti- (s. of pestis) pest + -lentus -lent

Related forms:
pes⋅ti⋅lent⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To pestilent
pes·ti·lent   (pěs'tə-lənt)   
adj.  

  1. Tending to cause death; deadly.

  2. Likely to cause an epidemic disease.

  3. Infected or contaminated with a contagious disease.

  4. Morally, socially, or politically harmful; pernicious. See Synonyms at poisonous.

  5. Causing annoyance or disapproval.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin pestilēns, pestilent-, from pestis, pestilence; see pest.]
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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