VERMIN

vermin

(noun) any of various small animals or insects that are pests; e.g. cockroaches or rats; “cereals must be protected from mice and other vermin”; “he examined the child’s head for vermin”; “boys in the village have probably been shooting vermin”

vermin, varmint

(noun) an irritating or obnoxious person

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

vermin (countable and uncountable, plural vermin or vermins)

(countable or uncountable) Any one of various common types of small insects or animals which cause harm and annoyance. [from c. 1300]

(countable or uncountable) Animals that prey on game, such as foxes or weasels.

(countable or uncountable) Obnoxious, or mean and offensive person or people. [from 1560s]

Anagrams

• Mervin

Source: Wiktionary


Ver"min, n. sing. & pl.; used chiefly as plural. Etym: [OE. vermine, F. vermine, from L. vermis a worm; cf. LL. vermen a worm, L. verminosus full of worms. See Vermicular, Worm.]

1. An animal, in general. [Obs.] Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and vermin, and worms, and fowls. Acts x. 12. (Geneva Bible). This crocodile is a mischievous fourfooted beast, a dangerous vermin, used to both elements. Holland.

2. A noxious or mischievous animal; especially, noxious little animals or insects, collectively, as squirrels, rats, mice, flies, lice, bugs, etc. "Cruel hounds or some foul vermin." Chaucer. Great injuries these vermin, mice and rats, do in the field. Mortimer. They disdain such vermin when the mighty boar of the forest . . . is before them. Burke.

3. Hence, in contempt, noxious human beings. You are my prisoners, base vermin. Hudibras.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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