GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Plague , n. [L. plaga a blow, stroke, plague; akin to Gr. , fr.  to strike; cf. L. plangere to strike, beat.  Cf. Plaint.]
   That which smites, wounds, or troubles; a blow; a calamity; any afflictive evil or torment; a great trail or vexation.
   Shak.
   
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   And men blasphemed God for the plague of hail.
   Wyclif.
   
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   The different plague of each calamity.
   Shak.
   
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   (Med.) An acute malignant contagious fever, that often prevails in Egypt, Syria, and Turkey, and has at times visited the large cities of Europe with frightful mortality; hence, any pestilence; as, the great London plague. “A plague upon the people fell.”  
   Tennyson.
   
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   Cattle plague. See Rinderpest. -- Plague mark, Plague spot, a spot or mark of the plague; hence, a token of something incurable.
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2.       
   Plague, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plagued ; p. pr. & vb. n. Plaguing.]
   To infest or afflict with disease, calamity, or natural evil of any kind.
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   Thus were they plagued
   And worn with famine.
   Milton.
   
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   Fig.: To vex; to tease; to harass.
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   She will plague the man that loves her most.
   Spenser.
   
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   Syn. -- To vex; torment; distress; afflict; harass; annoy; tease; tantalize; trouble; molest; embarrass; perplex.
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