2 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Vermin \Ver"min\, n. sing. & pl.; used chiefly as plural. [OE.
vermine, F. vermine, from L. vermis a worm; cf LL vermen a
worm, L. verminosus full of worms. See {Vermicular}, {Worm}.]
1. An animal, in general. [Obs.]
Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the
earth, and vermin, and worms, and fowls. --Acts x.
12. (Geneva
Bible).
This crocodile is a mischievous fourfooted beast, a
dangerous vermin, used to both elements. --Holland.
2. A noxious or mischievous animal; especially, noxious
little animals or insects, collectively, as squirrels,
rats, mice, flies, lice, bugs, etc ``Cruel hounds or some
foul vermin.'' --Chaucer.
Great injuries these vermin, mice and rats, do in
the field. --Mortimer.
They disdain such vermin when the mighty boar of the
forest . . . is before them --Burke.
3. Hence in contempt, noxious human beings.
You are my prisoners, base vermin. --Hudibras.
From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]:
vermin
n 1: an irritating or obnoxious person [syn: {varmint}]
2: any of various small animals or insects that are pests; e.g.
cockroaches or rats
more about vermin
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