verminous

adjective

ver·​min·​ous ˈvər-mə-nəs How to pronounce verminous (audio)
1
: consisting of or being vermin : noxious
2
: forming a breeding place for or infested by vermin : filthy
verminous garbage
3
: caused by vermin
verminous disease

Examples of verminous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Men, women and children languished there in conditions of almost unimaginable squalor, brutality, overcrowding, starvation, verminous infestation and neglect. Patrick McGrath, New York Times, 28 June 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'verminous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

vermin + -ous, probably originally after Latin verminōs "infested with maggots," from vermin- (base of vermināre "to be affected with griping pains, to be infested with maggots"—latter sense by false association with vermis "worm"—derivative of vermina "racking pains") + -ōsus -ose entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of verminous was circa 1616

Dictionary Entries Near verminous

Cite this Entry

“Verminous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verminous. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

verminous

adjective
ver·​min·​ous ˈvər-mə-nəs How to pronounce verminous (audio)
1
: consisting of, infested with, or being vermin
2
: caused by parasitic worms
verminous gastritis

More from Merriam-Webster on verminous

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