vermin
Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word vermin. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word vermin, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say vermin in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word vermin you have here. The definition of the word vermin will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofvermin, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Middle English vermyn, vermyne, from Old French vermine, from Vulgar Latin *verminum (“vermin”), collective noun formed from Latin vermis (“worm”). See also worm.
Pronunciation
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˈvɝmɪn/
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈvɜːmɪn/
Audio (Southern England): (file) - Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)mɪn
Noun
vermin (countable and uncountable, plural vermin or vermins)
- Any of various common types of small insects or other animals which cause harm and annoyance.
- The area was plagued by all sorts of vermin: fleas, lice, mice, and rats to name a few.
- 1903, Harry de Windt, “The Great Lena Post Road”, in From Paris to New York by Land, New York, N.Y.: Frederick Warne & Co. , published 1904, →OCLC, part I (Europe and Asia), page 27:
- Vermin was everywhere; night and day it crawled gaily over the walls and ceiling, about our bodies, and into our very food, and, although the subject did not interest us, a naturalist would have delighted in the ever-changing varieties of insect life.
- An animal that preys on game, such as a fox or a weasel.
- An obnoxious or mean and offensive person.
- Bring these vermin to the Palace of Justice.
Usage notes
- The singular form "a vermin" is now rarely encountered, and the word is generally used as a plural.
Derived terms
Translations
Any of various common types of small insects or animals which cause harm and annoyance
|
An obnoxious, or mean and offensive person
|
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked