pestilence

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see also: Pestilence

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Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpɛstələn(t)s/, /ˈpɛstɪlən(t)s/, /ˈpɛstlən(t)s/

Noun

pestilence

1. Any epidemic disease that is highly contagious, infectious, virulent and devastating.
   • 1826, Mary Shelley, The Last Man, part 2, chapter 2

     "Take it, Christian dogsǃ take the palaces, the gardens, the mosques, the abode of our fathers - take plague with them; pestilence is the enemy we fly; if she be your friend, hug her to your bosoms. The curse of Allah is on Stamboul, share ye her fateǃ"

   • 1949 - Bruce Kiskaddon, George R. Stewart, Earth Abides

     The snowshoe-rabbits build up through the years until they reach a climax when they seem to be everywhere; then with dramatic suddenness their pestilence falls upon them.

2. (archaic) Anything harmful to morals or public order.

Related terms

• pest
• pesticide
• pestilent

Translations

• French: peste
• German: Pest, Seuche
• Italian: pestilenza
• Portuguese: peste
• Russian: мор
• Spanish: pestilencia

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Pestilence

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Proper noun

1. The personification of pestilence, often depicted riding a white horse.

Synonyms

• Conquest
• the white rider

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