a. [ L. pestiferus, pestifer; pestis pest + ferre to bear: cf. F. pestifère. ] 1. Pest-bearing; pestilential; noxious to health; malignant; infectious; contagious; as, pestiferous bodies. “Poor, pestiferous creatures begging alms.” Evelyn. “Unwholesome and pestiferous occupations.” Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Noxious to peace, to morals, or to society; vicious; hurtful; destructive; as, a pestiferous demagogue. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pestiferous reports of men very nobly held. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a pestiferous manner. [ 1913 Webster ]