pest

pest

noun \ˈpest\

Definition of PEST

1

: an epidemic disease associated with high mortality; specifically : plague

2

: something resembling a pest in destructiveness; especially : a plant or animal detrimental to humans or human concerns (as agriculture or livestock production)

3

: one that pesters or annoys : nuisance

— pesty \ˈpes-tē\ adjective

Examples of PEST

1. These insects are pests for farmers.
2. mice and other household pests
3. You're being a real pest. Would you leave us alone, please?

Origin of PEST

Middle French peste, from Latin pestis

First Known Use: 1513

Related to PEST

Synonyms: plague, pestilence

Related Words: murrain; epidemic, pandemic; affection, affliction, ailment, contagion, illness, infection, infirmity, malady, sickness; blight, curse, scourge

Near Antonyms: charmer, smoothy (or smoothie); comforter, solacer, soother

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Rhymes with PEST

best, breast, Brest, chest, crest, gest, geste, guest, hest, jessed, jest, lest, nest, quest, rest, test, tressed, vest, west, wrest, zest