infest

Verb
Synonyms: overruninvade

WordNet 3.0

Verb (3)

  1. invade in great numbers“the roaches infested our kitchen”Synonyms: overrun
  2. occupy in large numbers or live on a host“the Kudzu plant infests much of the South and is spreading to the North”Synonyms: invadeoverrun
  3. live on or in a host, as of parasites
Advertisement

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Infest \In*fest"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Infested; p. pr. & vb. n. Infesting.] [L. infestare, fr. infestus disturbed, hostile, troublesome; in in, against + the root of defendere: cf. F. infester. See Defend.] To trouble greatly by numbers or by frequency of presence; to disturb; to annoy; to frequent and molest or harass; as, fleas infest dogs and cats; a sea infested with pirates. [1913 Webster]

To poison vermin that infest his plants. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]

These, said the genius, are envy, avarice, superstition, love, with the like cares and passions that infest human life. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

And the cares, that infest the day, Shall fold their tents, like the Arabs, And as silently steal away. --Longfellow. [1913 Webster]

Infest \In*fest"\, a. [L. infestus. See Infest, v. t.] Mischievous; hurtful; harassing. [Obs.] --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
Advertisement