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. Displaced native Old English wōl.
Noun
plague (countable and uncountable, plural plagues)
- (often used with the, sometimes capitalized: the Plague) The bubonic plague, the pestilent disease caused by the virulent bacterium Yersinia pestis.
- (pathology) An epidemic or pandemic caused by any pestilence, but specifically by the above disease.
- A widespread affliction, calamity, or destructive influx, especially when seen as divine retribution.
- (figurative) A grave nuisance, whatever greatly irritates.
- Bart is an utter plague; his pranks never cease.
- (ornithology) A group of common grackles.
Derived terms
- Black Plague
- bubonic plague
- cattle plague
- fowl plague
- pneumonic plague
Verb
plague (third-person singular simple present plagues, present participle plaguing, simple past and past participle plagued)
- (transitive) To harass, pester, or annoy someone persistently or incessantly.
- (transitive) To afflict with a disease or other calamity.
- Natural catastrophes plagued the colonists till they abandoned the pestilent marshland.
Derived terms
- plagued
Credits
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