Vermin definition

vûrmĭn

People considered loathsome or repulsive.

pluralNoun

Animals that prey on farm animals or game or that destroy crops.

pluralNoun

Various small animals, such as rats or cockroaches, that are destructive, annoying, or injurious to health.

pluralNoun

Various insects, rodents, or other small animals regarded as pests because destructive, disease-carrying, etc., as flies, lice, rats, or weasels.

noun

(countable or uncountable) Any one of various common types of small insects or animals which cause harm and annoyance. [from c. 1300]

The area was plagued by all sorts of vermin: fleas, lice, mice, and rats to name a few.

noun

(countable or uncountable) Obnoxious, or mean and offensive person or people. [from 1560s]

Bring these gypsy vermin to the Palace of Justice.

noun

Vermin are animals, especially small ones, that are destructive pests.

An example of vermin are fleas.

noun

(brit.) Birds or other animals that kill game.

noun

A vile, loathsome person.

noun

Such persons collectively.

noun

Various small animals, such as rats or cockroaches, that are destructive, annoying, or injurious to health.

pluralNoun

(countable or uncountable) Animals that prey on game, such as foxes or weasels.

noun

Other Word Forms

Singular:

vermin

Plural:

vermins

Middle English from Old French from Vulgar Latin vermīnum from Latin vermis worm wer-² in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Norman vermin and Old French vermin, from Vulgar Latin *verminum (“vermin"), collective noun formed from Latin vermis (“worm"). See also worm.

From Wiktionary