Definition of pestilential

"Pestilential" derives from the Latin word "pestilentia," meaning "plague" or "deadly epidemic." It came into English in the 14th century, likely through the influence of the Black Death, which ravaged Europe. The word reflects the fear and dread associated with contagious diseases, often perceived as a divine punishment. "Pestilential" has been used to describe things that are harmful, contagious, or morally corrupt, evoking the sense of a destructive and potentially fatal force.