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Plague
Definitions
- 1 The bubonic plague, the pestilent disease caused by the virulent bacterium Yersinia pestis. capitalized, countable, often, sometimes, uncountable
"It was about the beginning of September, 1664, that I, among the rest of my neighbours, heard in ordinary discourse that the plague was returned again in Holland[…] It mattered not from whence it came; but all agreed it was come into Holland again."
- 2 an annoyance wordnet
- 3 An epidemic or pandemic caused by any pestilence, but specifically by the above disease. countable, uncountable
"Great plagues, such as the bubonic plague or smallpox or syphilis or influenza, can happen again."
- 4 any large scale calamity (especially when thought to be sent by God) wordnet
- 5 A widespread affliction, calamity, or destructive influx, especially when seen as divine retribution. countable, uncountable
"Ten Biblical plagues over Egypt, ranging from locusts to the death of the crown prince, finally forced Pharaoh to let Moses's people go."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 a swarm of insects that attack plants wordnet
- 7 A grave nuisance, whatever greatly irritates. countable, figuratively, uncountable
"Bart is an utter plague; his pranks never cease."
- 8 any epidemic disease with a high death rate wordnet
- 9 A group of common grackles. countable, uncountable
- 10 a serious (sometimes fatal) infection of rodents caused by Yersinia pestis and accidentally transmitted to humans by the bite of a flea that has bitten an infected animal wordnet
- 1 To harass, pester or annoy someone persistently or incessantly. transitive
""Moreover," replied Congreve, "it was a sort of flattery to the duke. It showed that she valued the power of plaguing him more than her own fairest ornament. Flattery is the real secret by which a woman keeps her lover.""
- 2 annoy continually or chronically wordnet
- 3 To afflict with a disease or other calamity. transitive
"Natural catastrophes plagued the colonists till they abandoned the pestilent marshland."
- 4 cause to suffer a blight wordnet
Etymology
From Middle English plage, borrowed from Old French plage, from Latin plāga (“blow, wound”), from plangō (“to strike”). Cognate with Middle Dutch plāghe (> Dutch plaag), plāghen (> Dutch plagen); Middle Low German plāge; Middle High German plāge, pflāge (> German Plage); plāgen (> German plagen); Swedish plåga; French plaie, Occitan plaga. Doublet of plaga. Displaced native Old English wōl.
From Middle English plage, borrowed from Old French plage, from Latin plāga (“blow, wound”), from plangō (“to strike”). Cognate with Middle Dutch plāghe (> Dutch plaag), plāghen (> Dutch plagen); Middle Low German plāge; Middle High German plāge, pflāge (> German Plage); plāgen (> German plagen); Swedish plåga; French plaie, Occitan plaga. Doublet of plaga. Displaced native Old English wōl.
See also for "plague"
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