1. (n.) A raging epidemic; specifically, the bubonic plague\; hence, any contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating.

2. (n.) Fig.: That which is pestilent, noxious, or pernicious to the moral character of great numbers.

Black Death affliction ambulatory plague bane black death black plague blight bubonic plague bugbear burden calamity cancer canker cellulocutaneous plague crushing burden curse death defervescing plague destruction disease epidemic epiphytotic epizootic evil glandular plague grievance harm hemorrhagic plague infliction larval plague murrain nemesis open wound pandemia pandemic pest pesthole plague plague spot pneumonic plague premonitory plague running sore scourge septicemic plague siderating plague thorn torment tuberculosis vexation visitation white plague woe