pestilence
(noun)
noun
1. a serious (sometimes fatal) infection of rodents caused by Yersinia pestis and accidentally transmitted to humans by the bite of a flea that has bitten an infected animal
Definition categories: state
2. any epidemic disease with a high death rate
Definition categories: state
3. a pernicious and malign influence that is hard to get rid of
- racism is a pestilence at the heart of the nation
Similar word(s): canker