First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1plague
noun \ˈplāg\
: a large number of harmful or annoying things
: a disease that causes death and that spreads quickly to a large number of people
Full Definition of PLAGUE
1
a : a disastrous evil or affliction : calamity b : a destructively numerous influx <a plague of locusts>
2
a : an epidemic disease causing a high rate of mortality : pestilence b : a virulent contagious febrile disease that is caused by a bacterium (Yersinia pestis) and that occurs in bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic forms —called also black death
3
a : a cause of irritation : nuisance b : a sudden unwelcome outbreak <a plague of burglaries>
See plague defined for English-language learners
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Origin of PLAGUE
Middle English plage, from Late Latin plaga, from Latin, blow; akin to Latin plangere to strike — more at plaint
Related to PLAGUE
- Synonyms
- pest, pestilence
2plague
verb
: to cause constant or repeated trouble, illness, etc., for (someone or something)
: to cause constant worry or distress to (someone)
plaguedplagu·ing
Full Definition of PLAGUE
transitive verb
1
: to smite, infest, or afflict with or as if with disease, calamity, or natural evil
2
— plagu·er noun
See plague defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PLAGUE
15th century
Related to PLAGUE
Synonym Discussion of PLAGUE
worry, annoy, harass, harry, plague, pester, tease mean to disturb or irritate by persistent acts. worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation <pursued a policy of worrying the enemy>. annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks <you're doing that just to annoy me>. harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power <harassed on all sides by creditors>. harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment <the strikers had been harried by thugs>. plague implies a painful and persistent affliction <plagued all her life by poverty>. pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks <constantly pestered with trivial complaints>. tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath <children teased the dog>.
PLAGUE Defined for Kids
1plague
noun \ˈplāg\
Definition of PLAGUE for Kids
1
: something that causes much distress <a plague of locusts>
2
: a disease that causes death and spreads quickly to a large number of people
3
2plague
verb
plaguedplagu·ing
Definition of PLAGUE for Kids
1
: to affect with disease or trouble <Fleas plague the poor dog.>
2
: to cause worry or distress to <I'm plagued by guilt.>
Medical Dictionary
plague
noun \ˈplāg\
Medical Definition of PLAGUE
1
: an epidemic disease causing a high rate of mortality : pestilence <a plague of cholera>
2
: a virulent contagious febrile disease that is caused by a bacterium of the genus Yersinia (Y. pestis synonym Pasteurella pestis), that occurs in bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic forms, and that is usually transmitted from rats to humans by the bite of infected fleas (as in bubonic plague) or directly from person to person (as in pneumonic plague)—called also black death
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