Infest
[in-fest] /ɪnˈfɛst/
verb (used with object)
1.
to live in or overrun to an unwanted degree or in a troublesome manner, especially as predatory animals or vermin do:
Sharks infested the coastline.
2.
to be numerous in, as anything undesirable or troublesome:
the cares that infest the day.
3.
Archaic. to harass.
/ɪnˈfɛst/
verb (transitive)
1.
to inhabit or overrun in dangerously or unpleasantly large numbers
2.
(of parasites such as lice) to invade and live on or in (a host)
v.
late 15c., “to attack, assail, hurt, distress, annoy,” from Middle French infester, from Latin infestare “to attack, disturb, trouble,” from infestus “hostile, dangerous,” originally “inexorable, not able to be handled,” from in- “not, opposite of” (see in- (1)) + -festus “(able to be) seized.” Sense of “swarm over in large numbers” first recorded c.1600. Related: Infested; infesting.
infest in·fest (ĭn-fěst’)
v. in·fest·ed, in·fest·ing, in·fests
in’fes·ta’tion n.
Read Also:
- Infestation
[in-fe-stey-shuh n] /ˌɪn fɛˈsteɪ ʃən/ noun 1. the act of ; state of being . 2. a harassing or troublesome invasion: an infestation of ants. n. early 15c., from Late Latin infestationem (nominative infestatio) “a troubling, disturbing, molesting,” noun of action from past participle stem of infestare (see infest).
- Infested
[in-fest] /ɪnˈfɛst/ verb (used with object) 1. to live in or overrun to an unwanted degree or in a troublesome manner, especially as predatory animals or vermin do: Sharks infested the coastline. 2. to be numerous in, as anything undesirable or troublesome: the cares that infest the day. 3. Archaic. to harass. /ɪnˈfɛst/ verb (transitive) […]
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[in-fib-yuh-ley-shuh n] /ɪnˌfɪb yəˈleɪ ʃən/ noun 1. the stitching together of the vulva, often after a clitoridectomy, leaving a small opening for the passage of urine and menstrual blood. 2. the similar stitching of the prepuce. n. 1640s, noun of action from infibulate.
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[in-fib-yuh-leyt] /ɪnˈfɪb yəˌleɪt/ verb (used with object), infibulated, infibulating. 1. to stitch together the vulva of (a girl or woman), often after a clitoridectomy, in order to prevent intercourse. 2. to stitch the prepuce of (a male). /ɪnˈfɪbjʊˌleɪt/ verb 1. (transitive) to enclose (esp the genitals, to prevent sexual intercourse) with a clasp v. 1620s, […]