pestilence

n. [ F. pestilence, L. pestilentia. See Pestilent. ] 1. Specifically, the disease known as the plague; hence, any contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating. [ 1913 Webster ]

The pestilence that walketh in darkness. Ps. xci. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fig.: That which is pestilent, noxious, or pernicious to the moral character of great numbers. [ 1913 Webster ]

I'll pour this pestilence into his ear. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pestilence weed (Bot.), the butterbur coltsfoot (Petasites vulgaris), so called because formerly considered a remedy for the plague. Dr. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]