Pest (?), n. [L. pestis: cf. F. peste.] 1. A fatal epidemic disease; a pestilence; specif., the plague.
England's sufferings by that scourge, the pest. Cowper.
2. Anything which resembles a pest; one who, or that which, is troublesome, noxious, mischievous, or destructive; a nuisance. “A pest and public enemy.” South.