ˈpest noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle French peste, from Latin pestis
1. : an epidemic disease associated with high mortality ; specifically : plague
2. : something resembling a pest especially in destructiveness or noxiousness ; especially : a plant or animal detrimental to man or to his interests
3. : one that pesters or annoys : nuisance
gave the greatest encouragement to those pests of society, mercenary informers — Edmund Burke