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:''For the Dutch death metal band, see Pestilence (band)''
:''For the Alpha Flight villain, see Pestilence (comics)''
:''For the 52 character, see Pestilence (DC Comics)''
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A 'pestilence' is any virulent and highly infectious disease that can cause an epidemic or even a pandemic. The word can also be used about parasites causing large scale sickness and death, such as Guinea worm.
Originally the word referred to the disease plague, which is called ''pestis'' in Latin.
The 14th-century English poet Geoffrey Chaucer spoke of "pestilence" in "The Pardoner's Tale", referring to the Black Death:
:''Ther cam a privee theef men clepeth Deeth,''
:''That in this contree al the peple sleeth,''
:''And with his spere he smoot his herte atwo,''
:''And wente his wey withouten wordes mo.''
:''He hath a thousand slayn this pestilence.''

Contents

See also

External links

See also

★ Disease

★ Epidemic

★ Pandemic

★ List of historical plagues

External links

★ Article in International Herald Tribune 22 March 2006, describing Guinea worm as a pestilence (Linked 23 April 2006)