German word

Seuche

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈzɔɪ̯çə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounplague

Example

Die Dorfbewohner fürchteten die Seuche.

The villagers feared the plague.

Illustration for Seuche (plague)

More examples

Hunderttausende sind der Seuche zum Opfer gefallen.

Hundreds of thousands have fallen victim to the plague.

Core concept

A disease sweeping through a village or herd, leaving many people or animals ill in a short time.

Common phrases

  • der Seuche zum Opfer fallen

    fall victim to the plague

  • eine Seuche eindämmen

    contain a plague

  • historische Seuche

    historical plague

Similar words

Epidemie: A rapid outbreak infecting many people in a particular region or group.
Pandemie: A large-scale outbreak spreading across several countries or continents.
Infektion: A condition caused when a pathogen enters the body and causes illness.
Pest: A historical term for a severe contagious disease that killed many people.

Definition in German

Bezeichnung für eine großflächige, oft schnelle Ausbreitung einer Infektionskrankheit bei Menschen oder Tieren.

Word origin

Seuche developed from Middle High German siuche and Old High German siuhha, forms related to siech, meaning sick.

Usage tips

  • Seuche is feminine, with the plural Seuchen, and can describe outbreaks among animals as well as people.

Other meanings

  • epidemicnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Seuchenbekämpferplague-control officernoun
  • Seuchenherdsource of a plaguenoun
  • Seuchenwarnungplague warningnoun

Word lists with this word