Pestilential Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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pestilential
[ˌpɛs.tɪˈlɛn.ʃəl ]
Definitions
disease-related
Pestilential describes something that is related to or causes a pestilence, often used to refer to diseases that are highly infectious and deadly. It can also mean something that is harmful or destructive in a more general sense.
Synonyms
infectious, mortal, noisome, venomous.
Examples of usage
- The pestilential outbreak caused widespread panic.
- Residents fled the pestilential environment.
- Authorities warned about pestilential conditions in the area.
harmful
In a broader sense, pestilential can refer to anything that is morally or socially harmful, creating an atmosphere of contamination or decay.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The pestilential behavior was condemned by the community.
- The pestilential effects of corruption were evident.
- They fought against the pestilential ideas spreading in society.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Origin of 'pestilential'
The word 'pestilential' originates from the Latin 'pestilentialis', which means 'of or relating to a pestilence'. The root 'pestis' in Latin translates to 'plague' or 'disease', coming from the Proto-Indo-European 'peis-', meaning 'to destroy, to ravage'. The term has evolved within the English language, first appearing in texts in the 15th century, primarily to describe the deadly diseases like the plague that caused widespread death and societal turmoil. Over centuries, the usage expanded to include metaphorical senses, describing anything that was considered harmful or toxic in both literal and figurative contexts.