pestiferous

[ pe-stif-er-uhs ]

adjective

1. spreading or bearing disease, especially deadly epidemic disease; pestilential:

   pestiferous rats.

2. pernicious; evil:

   The wicked duke's pestiferous rule blighted the countryside.

3. Informal. mischievous; troublesome or annoying:

   Those pestiferous boys won't leave my apple tree alone.

pestiferous

/ pɛˈstɪfərəs /

adjective

1. informal.
   troublesome; irritating
2. breeding, carrying, or spreading infectious disease
3. corrupting; pernicious

Derived Forms

• pesˈtiferously, adverb
• pesˈtiferousness, noun

Other Words From

• pes·tifer·ous·ly adverb
• pes·tifer·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pestiferous¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin pestiferus “pestilential,” equivalent to pesti- (stem of pestis ) + -ferus; pest, -ferous

Word History and Origins

Origin of pestiferous¹

C16: from Latin pestifer, from pestis contagious disease, pest + ferre to bring

Example Sentences

Some experts believe other bugs and animals — including those considered pestiferous, like rats — are thriving from secondary impacts of all that H20, like increased vegetation.

From Los Angeles Times

William of Newburgh, a medieval English historian, recorded one account of a town devastated by such a monster, who was accused of filling “every house with disease and death by its pestiferous breath.”

From New York Times

When seedlings popped, I put collars around them to protect against pestiferous birds.

From Los Angeles Times

The program currently envisions three types of pestiferous insects as allies: aphids, leafhoppers and whiteflies.

From Washington Post

The program envisions three types of pestiferous insects as allies: aphids, leafhoppers and whiteflies.

From Seattle Times