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pestis — meaning in English

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English meaning

  • pestilence noun A deadly, widespread disease; a plague.
  • plague noun A deadly, fast-spreading disease, especially historically the bubonic plague.
  • scourge noun A whip, especially one with several lashes, historically used to punish or torture.

Senses

pestis is used for these senses in English:

  • pestilence Any epidemic disease that is highly contagious, infectious, virulent and devastating.
  • plague (pathology) An epidemic or pandemic caused by any pestilence, but specifically by the above disease.
  • scourge A source of persistent (and often widespread) pain and suffering or trouble, such as a cruel ruler, disease, pestilence, or war.

plague — full definition

  1. noun A deadly, fast-spreading disease, especially historically the bubonic plague.
  2. noun A widespread, serious problem or nuisance.
  3. verb To trouble or afflict someone persistently.

Related Latin words