Plague \Plague\, n. [L. plaga a blow, stroke, plague; akin to Gr. ?, fr. ? to strike; cf. L. plangere to strike, beat. Cf. Plaint.]

1. That which smites, wounds, or troubles; a blow; a calamity; any afflictive evil or torment; a great trail or vexation. --Shak.

And men blasphemed God for the plague of hail. --Wyclif.

The different plague of each calamity. --Shak.

2. (Med.) An acute malignant contagious fever, that often prevails in Egypt, Syria, and Turkey, and has at times visited the large cities of Europe with frightful mortality; hence, any pestilence; as, the great London plague. ``A plague upon the people fell.'' --Tennyson.

Cattle plague. See Rinderpest.

Plague mark, Plague spot, a spot or mark of the plague; hence, a token of something incurable.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Plague \Plague\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plagued; p. pr. & vb. n. Plaguing.]

1. To infest or afflict with disease, calamity, or natural evil of any kind.

Thus were they plagued And worn with famine. --Milton.

2. Fig.: To vex; to tease; to harass.

She will plague the man that loves her most. --Spenser.

Syn: To vex; torment; distress; afflict; harass; annoy; tease; tantalize; trouble; molest; embarrass; perplex.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)