Plague, v. t. [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.
Syn. -- To vex; torment; distress; afflict; harass; annoy;
tease; tantalize; trouble; molest; embarrass; perplex.
Plague (?), n. [L. plaga a blow,
stroke, plague; akin to Gr. ?, fr. ? to strike; cf. L.
plangere to strike, beat. Cf. Plaint.]
1. That which smites, wounds, or troubles; a
blow; a calamity; any afflictive evil or torment; a great trail or
vexation. Shak.
And men blasphemed God for the plague of
hail.
Wyclif.
The different plague of each
calamity.
Shak.
2. (Med.) 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. "A
plague upon the people fell." Tennyson.
Cattle plague. See Rinderpest. --
Plague mark, Plague spot, a
spot or mark of the plague; hence, a token of something
incurable.