pestilence — a fatal epidemic disease, especially bubonic plague; something that is considered harmful, destructive, or evil
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a fatal epidemic disease, especially bubonic plague; something that is considered harmful, destructive, or evil
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpestələns/
Example Sentences
- The king declared that gossip was a pestilence worse than any disease.
- Social media can sometimes act like a pestilence, spreading misinformation at lightning speed.
- My little brother's obsession with dad jokes is becoming a pestilence in our household.
pestilence
NOUN[/ˈpestələns/]
a fatal epidemic disease, especially bubonic plague; something that is considered harmful, destructive, or evil
A medieval village suffers as pestilence spreads through every home and street.
Pursuing excellence while pestilence shows its prevalence
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Pestilence derives from Latin 'pestilentia', formed from the root 'pestis' meaning 'plague' or 'contagious disease'. The word became emblematic of terror during the medieval period when the Black Death devastated Europe.
Breakdown
pestis (plague, contagion) + -lentia (suffix denoting a state or condition). The suffix -lentia transforms the noun into an abstract term expressing the condition of being diseased or afflicted.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The king declared that gossip was a pestilence worse than any disease.”
“Social media can sometimes act like a pestilence, spreading misinformation at lightning speed.”
“My little brother's obsession with dad jokes is becoming a pestilence in our household.”
“The pestilence of corruption had infected every level of the government.”
📚Related Words
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