[plague] n [ME plage, fr. MF, fr. LL plaga, fr. L, blow; akin to L plangere to strike--more at plaint] (14c) 1 a: a disastrous evil or affliction: calamity b: a destructively numerous influx "a ~ of locusts"
2. a: an epidemic disease causing a high rate of mortality: pestilence b: a virulent contagious febrile disease that is caused by a bacterium (Yersinia pestis) and that occurs in bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic forms--called also black death 3 a: a cause of irritation: nuisance b: a sudden unwelcome outbreak "a ~ of burglaries"
[2]plague vt plagued ; plagu.ing (15c) 1: to smite, infest, or afflict with or as if with disease, calamity, or natural evil
2. a: to cause worry or distress to: hamper, burden b: to disturb or annoy persistently syn see worry -- plagu.er n