French word

vermine

Pronunciation

IPA/vɛʁmin/

Meaning

  • feminine nounvermin

Example

La vermine a détruit une partie de la récolte.

The vermin destroyed part of the harvest.

Illustration for vermine (vermin)

More examples

On a trouvé de la vermine dans le grenier.

We found vermin in the attic.

Core concept

An infestation of creatures treated as a destructive nuisance, sometimes extended to people viewed the same way.

Common phrases

  • se débarrasser de la vermine

    get rid of vermin

  • lutte contre la vermine

    vermin control

  • infestation de vermine

    vermin infestation

Similar words

rat: A large rodent that inhabits sewers and nearby buildings, gnaws objects, and carries disease.
souris: A small rodent that may cause damage by gnawing food or belongings.
insecte: A small insect that may harm crops or household structures.
parasite: A living organism that feeds on another organism while living on or in it.

Definition in French

Désigne des animaux nuisibles, surtout rongeurs, insectes et parasites, et employé aussi au sens figuré pour des personnes considérées comme nuisibles.

Word origin

Vermine was inherited through Old French from Latin vermis, "worm"; French later extended the term from small creatures to pests and an insulting figurative use.

Usage tips

  • Applied to people, vermine is a harsh insult rather than a neutral description, so it is unsuitable for respectful or formal reference.

Other meanings

  • pestnoun
  • scumnoun

Word lists with this word