antipestilent
|an-ti-pes-ti-lent|
/ˌæn.tɪˈpɛs.tɪ.lənt/
against pestilence
Etymology
'antipestilent' originates from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against') combined with 'pestilent', which ultimately comes from Latin 'pestilentia' meaning 'plague' or 'pestilence'.
'pestilent' comes from Latin 'pestilentia' (plague) → Late Latin/Medieval Latin 'pestilent-' → Middle English 'pestilent'. The prefix 'anti-' was later attached in English to form 'antipestilent' in post-medieval/early modern usage.
Initially formed to mean 'against pestilence' or 'serving to oppose plague'; over time it became an archaic/literary adjective used to describe measures, substances, or qualities believed to prevent or counteract epidemic disease.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
preventing, repelling, or protecting against pestilence or epidemic disease; protective against contagious disease (archaic/literary).
The town enacted antipestilent regulations to keep the plague from entering the gates.
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Adjective 2
historically or literarily used to describe something that destroys, checks, or is effective against pestilence.
They sought antipestilent herbs reputed to check the spreading sickness.
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Last updated: 2025/09/06 15:51