pestilence
pronunciation
How to pronounce pestilence in British English:
UK [ˈpestɪləns]
How to pronounce pestilence in American English:
US [ˈpɛstələns]
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- Noun:
- any epidemic disease with a high death rate
- a pernicious evil influence
Word Origin
- pestilence (n.)
- c. 1300, from Old French pestilence "plague, epidemic" (12c.) and directly from Latin pestilentia "a plague, an unwholesome atmosphere," noun of condition from pestilentem (nominative pestilens) "infected, unwholesome, noxious," from pestis "deadly disease, plague" (see pest).
Example
- 1. A pestilence overhangs the country .
- 2. Everyone must use less water if famine , pestilence and mass migration are not to sweep the globe .
- 3. Failing to reduce emissions could be disastrous , as warmer temperatures unleash floods and pestilence .
- 4. England saw fit to master and displays the gloomy grudge atmosphere of the 19th century london with all its dirt , and pestilence filled image .
- 5. According to founder john edel , the farm 's tightly controlled climate negates factors such as drought , flood and pestilence , which often disrupt traditional farming processes and lead to waste .