Plague — Defs

01 n. That which smites, wounds, or troubles; a blow; a calamity; any afflictive evil or torment; a great trail or vexation.

1.
That which smites, wounds, or troubles; a blow; a calamity; any afflictive evil or torment; a great trail or vexation.
“And men blasphemed God for the plague of hail.” — Wyclif.

“The different plague of each calamity.” — Shak.
2.
An acute malignant contagious fever, that often prevails in Egypt, Syria, and Turkey, and has at times visited the large cities of Europe with frightful mortality; hence, any pestilence; as, the great London plague.(Med.)

Phrases & compounds

Cattle plague — See Rinderpest.

Plague mark — a spot or mark of the plague; hence, a token of something incurable.

02 v. t. To infest or afflict with disease, calamity, or natural evil of any kind.

imp. & p. p. Plagued; p. pr. & vb. n. Plaguing

1.
To infest or afflict with disease, calamity, or natural evil of any kind.
“Thus were they plagued And worn with famine.” — Milton.
2.
Fig.: To vex; to tease; to harass.
“She will plague the man that loves her most.” — Spenser.