Malady vs Plague - What's the difference?

As a noun malady

is any ailment or disease of the body; especially, a lingering or deep-seated disorder.

(maladies)

Any ailment or disease of the body; especially, a lingering or deep-seated disorder.

* The maladies of the body may prove medicines to the mind. Buckminster .

A moral or mental defect or disorder.

* Love's a malady without a cure. Dryden .

* ailment * disease * disorder * distemper * illness * sickness

* *

(en noun)

The bubonic plague, the pestilent disease caused by the virulent bacterium ''Yersinia pestis .

(pathology) An epidemic or pandemic caused by any pestilence, but specifically by the above disease.

A widespread affliction, calamity or destructive influx, especially when seen as divine retribution.

Ten Biblical plagues over Egypt, ranging from locusts to the death of the crown prince, finally forced Pharaoh to let Moses's people go.

A grave nuisance, whatever greatly irritates

Bart is an utter plague ; his pranks never cease.

* pest

* plaguesome * plaguey

To harass, pester or annoy someone persistently or incessantly.

Wikis are often plagued by vandalism

To afflict with a disease or other calamity.

''Natural catastrophies plagued the colonists till they abandoned the pestilent marshland

* plaguer