English Explanatory Dictionary

infest

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To inhabit a place in unpleasantly large numbers; to plague, harass.
  2. To invade a host plant or animal.
adj
  1. Mischievous; hurtful; harassing.
noun
  1. Hostility.

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈfɛst/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-infest.wav

Word forms

infest infests infesting infested more infest most infest

Etymology

From Middle English infesten, from Old French infester (“to infest”), from Latin īnfestō (“assail, molest”, verb), from īnfestus (“hostile”), from in + *-festus (“probably seized, handled”).

Synonyms

beride plague

Related words

infestation infestuous manifest

Derived words

disinfest infestive infestment preinfest reinfest
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