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Pestilence vs Pernicious - What's the difference?

pestilence | pernicious |

As a proper noun pestilence

is the personification of pestilence, often depicted riding a white horse.

As an adjective pernicious is

causing much harm in a subtle way.

pestilence

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Any epidemic disease that is highly contagious, infectious, virulent and devastating.
  • * 1949 - Bruce Kiskaddon, George R. Stewart,
  • The snowshoe-rabbits build up through the years until they reach a climax when they seem to be everywhere; then with dramatic suddenness their pestilence falls upon them.

    pernicious

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Causing much harm in a subtle way.
  • * 1911 , ,
  • Puritanism no longer employs the thumbscrew and lash; but it still has a most pernicious hold on the minds and feelings of the American people.
  • Causing death or injury; deadly.
  • Synonyms

    * (l)

    Derived terms

    * perniciousness * perniciously

    Anagrams

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