definition of
[pestilence]

[1] #1 pestilence n. [plague, pest, pestis] 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. wn

[2] #2 pestilence n. [plague, pest] any epidemic disease with a high death rate. wn

[3] #3 pestilence n. [canker] a pernicious and malign influence that is hard to get rid of; "racism is a pestilence at the heart of the nation"; "according to him, I was the canker in their midst". wn