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Webster 1913 Edition

Infest

In-fest′

,
Adj.
[L.
infestus
. See
Infest
,
Verb.
T.
]
Mischievous; hurtful; harassing.
[Obs.]
Spenser.

In-fest′

,
Verb.
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.
To poison vermin that
infest
his plants.
Cowper.
These, said the genius, are envy, avarice, superstition, love, with the like cares and passions that
infest
human life.
Addison.
And the cares, that
infest
the day,
Shall fold their tents, like the Arabs,
And as silently steal away.
Longfellow.

Webster 1828 Edition

Infest

INFEST'

,
Verb.
T.
[L. infesto.] To trouble greatly; to disturb; to annoy; to harass. In warm weather, men ar infested with musketoes and gnats; flies infest horses and cattle. The sea is often infested with pirates. Small parties of the enemy infest the coast.
These, said the genius, are envy, avarice, superstition,love, with the like cares and passions that infest human life.

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