Pest (?), n. [L. pestis: cf. F. peste.]
1.
A fatal epidemic disease; a pestilence; specif., the plague.
England's sufferings by that scourge, the pest.
Cowper.
2.
Anything which resembles a pest; one who, or that which, is troublesome, noxious, mischievous, or destructive; a nuisance.
"A
pest and public enemy."
South.
© Webster 1913.