German

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Noun

Ungeziefer n ‎(genitive Ungeziefers, plural Ungeziefer)

1. (uncountable) vermin; pests; restricted to small animals, usually insects or spiders, sometimes also mice, etc.

   Der Küchenschrank saß voller Motten und dieses Ungeziefer war in alle Dosen und Tüten eingedrungen.

   The kitchen cupboard was full of moths and these vermin had got into all containers and bags.

2. (countable, rare) a vermin animal; a despised creature
   • Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis (1915):

     Als Gregor Samsa eines Morgens aus unruhigen Träumen erwachte, fand er sich in seinem Bett zu einem ungeheuren Ungeziefer verwandelt.

     As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into an enormous insect.

Declension

See also

• Schädling