First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
pestiferous
adjective pes·tif·er·ous \pes-ˈti-f(ə-)rəs\
Definition of PESTIFEROUS
1
: dangerous to society : pernicious
2
a : carrying or propagating infection : pestilential b : infected with a pestilential disease
See pestiferous defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of PESTIFEROUS
Middle English, from Latin pestifer pestilential, noxious, from pestis + -fer -ferous
Related to PESTIFEROUS
- Synonyms
- abrasive, aggravating, bothersome, carking, chafing, disturbing, exasperating, frustrating, galling, irksome, irritating, maddening, nettlesome, nettling, peeving, pesky, annoying, pestilent, pestilential, pesty, plaguey (also plaguy), rankling, rebarbative, riling, vexatious, vexing
Rhymes with PESTIFEROUS
Medical Dictionary
pestiferous
adjective pes·tif·er·ous \pes-ˈtif-(ə-)rəs\
Medical Definition of PESTIFEROUS
1
: carrying or propagating infection : pestilential <a pestiferous insect>
2
: infected with a pestilential disease
Learn More About PESTIFEROUS
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: pestilencePrevious Word in the Dictionary: pesticideAll Words Near: pestiferous
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up pestiferous? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).