pestilence
[ pes-tl-uhns ]
/ ˈpɛs tl əns /
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noun
a deadly or virulent epidemic disease.
something that is considered harmful, destructive, or evil.
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Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
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Origin of pestilence
OTHER WORDS FROM pestilence
an·ti·pes·ti·lence, adjectiveWords nearby pestilence
pester power, pesthole, pesthouse, pesticide, pestiferous, pestilence, pestilent, pestilential, pestle, pesto, pesty
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for pestilence
British Dictionary definitions for pestilence
pestilence
/ (ˈpɛstɪləns) /
noun
- any epidemic outbreak of a deadly and highly infectious disease, such as the plague
- such a disease
an evil influence or idea
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for pestilence
pestilence
[ pĕs′tə-ləns ]
n.
A usually fatal epidemic disease, especially bubonic plague.
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.