Advertisement
pestilent (adj.)
late 14c., "contaminated with dangerous disease; deadly, poisonous," from Latin pestilentem (nominative pestilens) "infected, unhealthy," from pestilis "of the nature of a plague," from pestis "deadly contagious disease" (see pest (n.)). Transferred sense of "mischievous, pernicious, hurtful to health or morals" is from 1510s; weakened sense of "troublesome" is from 1590s. Related: Pestilently.
also from late 14c.
Advertisement
Trends of pestilent
updated on April 17, 2020
Advertisement
Remove ads >
AdvertisementDictionary entries near pestilent
pester
pesterment
pesticide
pestiferous
pestilence
pestilent
pestilential
pestle
pesto
pet
*pet-