n.
Pronunciation: ' pl ā g
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English plage, from Late Latin plaga, from Latin, blow; akin to Latin plangere to strike ― more at PLAINT
Date: 14th century
1 a : a disastrous evil or affliction : CALAMITY b : a destructively numerous influx <a plague 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 plague of burglaries>