pestilence pestilence /ˈpɛstələns/

noun

1. A pernicious and malign influence that is hard to get rid of  ( canker , pestilence )
   a pernicious and malign influence that is hard to get rid of
    Racism is a pestilence at the heart of the nation
   racism is a pestilence at the heart of the nation
    According to him, I was the canker in their midst
   according to him, I was the canker in their midst
   
2. Any epidemic disease with a high death rate  ( pest , pestilence , plague )
   any epidemic disease with a high death rate
   
   
3. A serious (sometimes fatal) infection of rodents caused by Yersinia pestis and accidentally transmitted to humans by the bite of a flea that has bitten an infected animal  ( pest , pestilence , pestis , plague )
   a serious (sometimes fatal) infection of rodents caused by Yersinia pestis and accidentally transmitted to humans by the bite of a flea that has bitten an infected animal