Word
vermin
Phoneticsver·min
US/ˈvɝmɪn/
UK/vˈɜːmɪn/
Definition
n. animals that are considered pests or nuisances, like rats or mice. It is also a very rude word for people who are seen as dirty or useless.
n. animals that are regarded as pests or nuisances, particularly small rodents. In a derogatory sense, it refers to people who are considered contemptible or socially undesirable.
Examples
“The kitchen was full of vermin after the trash was left out.”
“The city spent thousands of dollars on traps to eliminate the vermin that were damaging the local crops.”
Examples
simple
“The kitchen was full of vermin after the trash was left out.”
contextual
“The city spent thousands of dollars on traps to eliminate the vermin that were damaging the local crops.”
Etymology
From Middle English vermyn, vermyne, from Old French vermine, from Vulgar Latin *verminum (“vermin”), collective noun formed from Latin vermis (“worm”). Compare vermiculate and vermivorous. See also worm.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.