varmint
Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word varmint. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word varmint, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say varmint in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word varmint you have here. The definition of the word varmint will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofvarmint, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Dialectal form of vermin, derived from Latin vermis (“worm”), c. 1530–1540s.[1] Perhaps influenced by Latin vargus (“bandit, outlaw, scoundrel”), though the pronunciation in /ɑː(ɹ)/ is more likely due to the same lowering of /ɛr/ > /ar/ found in carve < Middle English kerven and starve < Middle English sterven. The final syllable is probably altered after -ment; compare parchment < Middle English parchemyn.[2]
Pronunciation
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈvɑːmɪnt/
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˈvɑɹmɪnt/
Noun
varmint (plural varmints)
- A pestering animal such as one that kills or harasses a farmer's livestock or crops.
- (by extension) An obnoxious person or troublemaker.
Derived terms
Translations
pestering animal
person who is obnoxious
References
- ^ “varmint”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.
- ^ Jespersen, Otto (1909) A Modern English Grammar on Historical Principles (Sammlung germanischer Elementar- und Handbücher; 9), volumes I: Sounds and Spellings, London: George Allen & Unwin, published 1961, § 7.62, page 220.
