c. 1300, from Old French pestilence "plague, epidemic" (12c.) and directly from Latin pestilentia "a plague, an unwholesome atmosphere," noun of condition from pestilentem (nominative pestilens) "infected, unwholesome, noxious," from pestis "deadly disease, plague" (see pest).
权威例句
1. They were crazed by the famine and pestilence of that bitter winter.
他们因那年严冬的饥饿与瘟疫而折磨得发狂.
2. A pestilence was raging in that area.
瘟疫正在那一地区流行.
3. A pestilence was raging in this area.
鼠疫正在这一地区流行.
4. A pestilence overhangs the country.
瘟疫威胁着那个国家.
5. None so self - devoted as Hester when pestilence stalked through the town.