verminn.adj.

Brit.

/ˈvəːmɪn/, U.S.

/ˈvərmən/

Forms: α. Middle English–1500s vermyn, Middle English–1600s vermyne, 1500s vermynne, Scottish verming, 1500s–1700s vermine, 1500s– vermin; 1600s, 1800s dialect, varmin, 1600s, 1800s U.S., virmin. β. Middle English–1600s vermen, 1500s varmen. γ. Middle English vermayn, 1500s vermayne. See also varmint n.¹

Etymology: < Anglo-Norman and Old French vermin (masculine), vermine (feminine) (modern French vermine, Portuguese vermena, Italian vermine) < popular Latin *vermīnum, *vermīna, < vermis worm. The rare γ-form is probably directly from the Old French variant vermain (compare modern Burgundian vermaigne, Picard vermeinn).

1. collective. Animals of a noxious or objectionable kind:

a. Originally applied to reptiles, stealthy or slinking animals, and various wild beasts; now, except in U.S. and Australian usage (see sense 1b), almost entirely restricted to those animals or birds which prey upon preserved game, crops, etc. †Also in beast of vermin.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > by nature > [noun] > vermin > collectively

verminc1340

filtha1398

vermina1400

vermin1470

carrion1477

varminta1539

cattle1600

game1748

α. (a)

a1400 K. Alis. (Linc. Inn MS.) 6112 Euetis & snakes and paddokes brode, Þat heom þouȝte mete gode, Al vermyn þey eteþ.

a1400–50 Alexander 5422 A vale full of vermyn & all of vile neddirs.

1406 Patent Roll 7 Hen. IV ii. m. 28 Feras et alia animalia vermyne nuncupata.

1439 Rolls of Parl. V. 24/1 Chese and Buttur is a Merchaundise that..wil take grete empayryng by bestes of Vermyn and Wormes.

?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xlix Whanne they haue brought forth their byrdes: to se that they be well kept fro the gleed, crowes, fullymartes, and other vermyne.

1576 A. Fleming tr. Erasmus in Panoplie Epist. 355 The Catt frayeth away rattes, myce, and noysome vermine.

1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 40^v When the Corne is ripe..it is to be cut downe out of hande..because that birdes, and other vermine wyll devoure it.

1603 G. Owen Descr. Penbrokshire (1892) 268 The rest..are rather vermyne than beastes of game; such is the wild Catte, the Brocke and such like.

1630 M. Drayton David & Goliah in Muses Elizium 186 His father's flock..he From rauenous vermine hourely vs'd to free, His onely armes, his Sling and Sheephooke were.

1642 D. Rogers Naaman 23 We are still at Gods advantage in all, by wet, by drought, by fire, and vermine.

a1677 J. Taylor Contempl. State Man (1684) ii. vi. 243 A hole..filled with Snakes, Lizards, and other poisonous Vermin.

1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 120 From these three Cats, I afterwards came to be so pester'd with Cats, that I was forc'd to kill them like Vermine, or wild Beasts.

1825 W. Hone Every-day Bk. (1826) I. 991 The other dogs were good-looking savage vermin, averaging about 40lbs. weight.

1859 C. Darwin Origin of Species iii. 68 That the stock of partridges, grouse, and hares on any large estate depends chiefly on the destruction of vermin.

1900 Westm. Gaz. 29 Dec. 10/1 The fox..is..regarded in the Highlands by farmers and game-preservers as one of the worst species of vermin.

(b)1832 J. P. Kennedy Swallow Barn I. xvi. 163 The finest place..to catch vermin, as they call the three latter species of animals [i.e. racoons, opossums, and rabbits].1872 M. S. De Vere Americanisms 564 Varmin, as all wild animals are called in hunter's phrase, whether they are hunted for sport, for profit, or for extermination.1891 E. Jenks Govt. Victoria xxxi. 291 (note) ‘Vermin’ includes kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes, stray dogs, foxes, and rabbits, and any other animal or bird proclaimed by the Governor in Council.β. c1400 Pilgr. Sowle (1483) iii. x. 56 There also sawe I a wondre grete pytte ful of vermen.1526 Bible (Tyndale) Acts x. 12 A certayne vessell..where in wer all maner of iiij. foted beastes of the erth and vermen and wormes.1526 Bible (Tyndale) Rev. vi. 8 Power was geven vnto them..to kyll with swearde, and with honger, and with deeth that cometh of vermen of the erth.1592 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) vii. xxxvii. 161 The Weasell, Prince of Vermen.γ. a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. ccxix. f. cxl^v Of the Famyne that the people of that Countre susteyned, wonders are reported, that they shuld ete all maner of Uermayne as Cattes, rattes, dogges & other.

b. Applied to creeping or wingless insects (and other minute animals) of a loathsome or offensive appearance or character, esp. those which infest or are parasitic on living beings and plants; also occasionally applied to winged insects of a troublesome nature.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > by nature > [noun] > vermin > tiny

verminc1340

the world > animals > by nature > [noun] > vermin > collectively

verminc1340

filtha1398

vermina1400

vermin1470

carrion1477

varminta1539

cattle1600

game1748

α.

c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 916 Aftir man,..vermyn es, And aftir vermyn stynkand uglynes.

c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) viii. 31 In þat abbay commes neuer fleess, ne flyes, ne nan oþer swilk vermyn of corrupcioun.

1483 W. Caxton tr. A. Chartier Curial sig. iij^v We after ouermoche drynkyng of wynes and grete paynes lye doun ofte in beddes ful of vermyne.

1486 Bk. St. Albans c v b A medecyne for vermyn.

1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum (at cited word) Vermyn, as flees, lyse, wormes, etc.

1591 ‘A. Foulweather’ Wonderfull Prognost. in Wks. (1879) II. 165 Beggers on Sunne shine dayes..commit great murthers vpon their rebellious vermine.

1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 103 Some of them..are transformed very strangely into a kind of vermin or wormes, who beeing couered with a hard crust or shell, lye as it were dead all the winter.

1665 T. Herbert Some Years Trav. (new ed.) 314 In Summer, their Slaves attend about them..to scare away the Gnats and such like buzzing vermine.

1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 574 Here rather let me drudge and earn my bread, Till vermin or the draff of servil food Consume me.

1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 252 Hot Weather fills the Air with Vermine.

1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson i. v. 42 These operations were extremely necessary for correcting the noisome stench on board, and destroying the vermin.

a1821 J. Keats Otho iv. ii, in R. M. Milnes Life, Lett. & Lit. Remains Keats (1848) II. 180 No wrinkles, where all vices nestle in Like crannied vermin.

1830 J. Baxter Libr. Agric. & Hort. Knowl. 485 Vermin of the Insect kind. The insects which infest plants, orchard trees, &c. are almost as numerous as the plants, or trees themselves.

1875 H. C. Wood Treat. Therapeutics (1879) 364 For this reason tobacco ought never to be employed, as it formerly was, to kill vermin on the person.

figurative and in extended use.1592 T. Lodge Euphues Shadow (Hunterian Club) 10 Many there were that carryed vermine in theyr toongues to open secrecie.a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1958) IX. 302 To the consideration of these vermine of the soule, lesser and unconsidered sins.β. 1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Cij^v When any flyes or other creping vermen are entered into the sayde riftes of theyr skinnes.1599 T. Dallam Diary in J. T. Bent Early Voy. Levant (1893) i. 54 Thare we saw diverse sortes of varmen, which we have not the like in Inglande.

2. With a, that, this, etc.

a. In generic or collective sense: A kind or class of obnoxious animals.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > by nature > [noun] > vermin > class of

verminc1386

c1386 G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale 1039 Youre woful moder wende stedefastly, That cruel houndes or som foul vermyne Had eten yow.

a1400–50 Alexander 3948 Quen he had voidid þis vermyn & vencust þat of ynde.

1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Volucra, a vermine, whiche eateth the tender vines.

1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Cij Euen this greate beaste [the elephant]..is troubled with this lyttle vermyne [flies].

1599 Dallam in Early Voy. Levant (1893) 54 We..weare sodonly wonderfully tormented with a varmen that was in our pillowes, the which did bite farr worss than fleaes.

1609 P. Holland tr. Ammianus Marcellinus Rom. Hist. 212 This Crocodile is..a dangerous vermine used to both elements.

1635 G. Wither Coll. Emblemes 215 Though the mice a harmfull vermine be.

1725 T. Thomas in Portland Papers (Hist. MSS. Comm.) VI. 110 A fox just suspended on a pole,..the shepherds..being much infested by this vermin all hereabouts.

a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. i. 113 Diseases..proceeding from an imperceptible vermin swarming within us.

†b. A single animal or insect of this kind.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > by nature > [noun] > vermin

mothOE

verminc1460

varminta1539

c1460 J. Metham Wks. (1916) 62/1668 As at the sege off Thebes Ampyorax..Fyl in-to helle alle qwyk, ryght so this foule best an vermyne Myght falle thorw the erth to helle pyne.

1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope v. viii Ha cursed & euylle serpent, vermyn and fals traytour, thow hast deceyued me.

1526 Bible (Tyndale) Acts xxviii. 5 He shuke of the vermen [L. vipera] into the fyre.

1590 E. Spenser Visions Worlds Vanitie 77 The subtill vermin [sc. a spider] creeping closely neare, Did in his drinke shed poyson priuilie.

1604 N. Breton Passionate Shepheard (1877) sig. C3^v If I see the Wolfe, the Brocke, the Foxe, Or any varmin stealing downe a furrowe.

1613 G. Chapman Reuenge Bussy D'Ambois v. sig. K1^v Storme not, nor beate your selfe thus gainst the dores, Like to a sauage vermine in a trap.

1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. ii. 153 'Tis true, A Scorpions Oyl is said To cure the Wounds the Vermine made.

1809 W. Scott Poacher 11 Thine eye, applausive, each sly vermin sees, That baulks the snare, yet battens on the cheese.

†c. In plural in preceding senses. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > by nature > [noun] > vermin > collectively

verminc1340

filtha1398

vermina1400

vermin1470

carrion1477

varminta1539

cattle1600

game1748

1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur viii. iii. 277 Of beestes of venery and beestes of chace, and alle manere of vermayns.

1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur x. lii. 500 Whiche were beestes of chace and beestes of venery, and whiche were vermyns.

1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Agst. Idolatry iii. sig. Nn iij We haue not folowed the Gentyles in makyng of images of beastes, fyshes, and vermins also.

1585 R. Parsons Christian Directorie i. viii. 86 It must be cast out to serue for the food of vermines.

1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 145 There doe engender in pulse, certain little venomous Vermins.

1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck s.v Vermeluwen, To be full of Maggots, Vermins, or Wormes.

3. figurative. Applied to persons of a noxious, vile, objectionable, or offensive character or type.Frequently used as a term of abuse or opprobrium; in modern dialect sometimes without serious implication of bad qualities.

a. In collective use.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > offensiveness > offensive person > [noun] > plural

vermin1562

verminaille1600

swinehood1797

1562 N. Winȝet Wks. (S.T.S.) II. 31 On the wthir syde, contrare cryis certane padokis, filthy verming, and fleis.., of the quhilk sort are the Pelagianis.

1577 tr. ‘F. de L'Isle’ Legendarie sig. Miv^v We may then vtterly roote out this vermine (for so did the Cardinal call the Protestantes).

1586 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. I. 156 Dancers, minstrels, baudes, and such like vermin, whereof commonly there is no want about great personages.

1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 107 Whole swarmes of duskish vermin, to wit, a number of hideous high-land Scots and Picts.

1690 T. Burnet Theory of Earth iv. 214 No knaves, cheats, hypocrites; the vermin of this earth, that swarm every where.

1710 S. Palmer Moral Ess. Prov. 81 He that falls once into the company of such vermin has a misfortune.

1767 A. Young Farmer's Lett. 243 These vermin, who are generally labourers, swarm in every village round me.

1820 T. B. Macaulay in G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay (1876) I. ii. 98 A coronation all unknown To Europe's royal vermin.

1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in Idylls of King 12 I will avenge this insult,..And I will track this vermin to their earths.

1876 G. Meredith Beauchamp's Career I. ii. 29 The poacher was another kind of vermin than the stupid tenant.

b. A single person or individual of this type.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > offensiveness > offensive person > [noun]

vermin1581

crab-staffa1603

crab1825

crab-stick1840

rotter1879

undesirable1883

greaser1900

foul ball1918

jabroni1919

cockhead1972

nutsack1984

1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 76 b O monstruous vermine: did I ever speake or thinke any such matter?

1627 J. Taylor Armado sig. C8 As a Horse being dead in the feilds and stripd, is a banquet for Dogs,..so is a Surety to those Vermins, who..prey vpon his estate.

a1656 H. Rolle Abridgment des Cases (1668) sig. J3 He is a corrupt man, he is a Vermine in the Commonwealth.

1682 J. Dryden Medall 3 A Vermin, wriggling in th' Usurper's Ear. Bart'ring his venal wit for sums of gold.

1720 Humourist 192 Human Society is not infested with a more dangerous Vermin than a Flatterer.

1797 R. Southey Lett. from Spain xxviii. 517 Here I was shown a den in which a Hermit lived twelve years; a small hole for so large a vermin.

1842 J. Wilson Christopher North (1857) I. 137 The accursed vermin died somewhere in the Cottage.

1881 Ld. Salisbury in Daily Tel. 14 Nov. 2/5 The landlord is an outcast, and a vermin so horrible [etc.].

4. to stand true vermin, to show pluck and persistency. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > courage > spirit > show spirit [verb]

to do musterc1400

to stand true vermin1834

spunkc1850

1834 P. Hawker Diary (1893) II. 67 My horse shied..and down we both came... But I stood true vermin, and tried the islands afterwards for snipe.

†5. As adj. Verminous. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > offensiveness > [adjective]

bysenc1375

offensivea1548

nasty1548

beastly1584

whelpish1586

heathenish1592

viperous1593

vermin1602

verminousc1616

unchristian1630

verminian1640

rancida1646

verminly1653

spider-like1655

exceptionable1691

skunky1842

slaggy1943

schmucky1952

grotty1964

grody1965

1602 2nd Pt. Returne fr. Parnassus i. iv. 443 See how a little vermine pouerty altereth a whole milkie disposition.

Compounds

General attributive.

C1. Simple attributive.

vermin head n.

ΚΠ

1799 Addingham (Cumberld.) Par. Bk. (MS.) 8 Vermin Heads, 2 : 8.

vermin-trap n.

ΚΠ

1664 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense 61 in Sylva Continue Vermine Trapps.

1862 Catal. Internat. Exhib., Brit. II. No. 6133 Every description of wild beast, game, and vermin traps.

C2. Objective and objective genitive.

vermin-catcher n.

ΚΠ

1811 Sporting Mag. 38 221 Were they associated as a body of vermin-catchers?

vermin-destroyer n.

ΚΠ

1811 Sporting Mag. 38 222 They were a club of vermin-destroyers.

vermin-killer n.

ΚΠ

1680 W. W. (title) The Vermin Killer, being a very necessary Family-Book, containing Exact Rules and Directions for the Artificial Killing and Destroying of all manner of Vermin, etc.

1772 T. Simpson Compl. Vermin-killer (title) The Complete Vermin-killer.

1889 Daily News 21 June 7/1 Two packets of vermin killer containing about six grains of strychnine.

1893 W. H. Hudson Idle Days Patagonia v. 59 The common dog of the country is..a good watch-dog and vermin-killer.

vermin-destroying adj.

ΚΠ

?188. Dogs (Brit. Stand. Handbks.) iv. 18 Any of the vermin-destroying powders.

vermin-killing adj.

ΚΠ

1773 Ann. Reg. 1772 i. 129 He acquired 2000l. by vermin-killing.

1829 W. Scott Guy Mannering (new ed.) I. xxiii. Note C The race of Pepper and Mustard are in the highest estimation at this day, not only for vermin-killing, but for intelligence and fidelity.

1864 J. C. Atkinson Stanton Grange 67 Vermin-killing was well carried out there.

vermin-proof adj.

ΚΠ

1937 Discovery Dec. 388/1 Vermin-, rot- and fire-proof.

1982 M. Young Elmhirsts of Dartington iv. 81 A vermin-proof rice store.

C3. Instrumental or similative.It is not clear whether wermine brome, glossing Latin murica in Wright-Wülcker 644, is an attributive use of this word.

vermin-covered adj.

vermin-eaten adj.

ΚΠ

1837 C. Dickens Let. 7 Sept. (1965) I. 304 If the Pickwick has been the means of putting a few shillings in the vermin-eaten pockets of so miserable a creature, [etc.].

1901 ‘L. Malet’ Hist. Richard Calmady v. iii. 398 The removal of wailing, alms-demanding, vermin-eaten wrecks of humanity.

1931 R. Campbell Georgiad i. 16 So many poets..sigh to share their [sc. gypsies'] vermin-eaten ways.

vermin-footed adj.

ΚΠ

1865 E. Burritt Walk to Land's End 182 There were scarcely any daisies or buttercups, or even the vermin-footed charlock.

vermin-haunted adj.

ΚΠ

1831 T. P. Thompson Exercises (1842) I. 417 To throw it off like a vermin-haunted garment.

1861 J. M. Neale Notes on Dalmatia 97 A tolerable inn, not more dirty nor vermin-haunted than usual.

vermin-ridden adj.

vermin-tenanted adj.

ΚΠ

1861 J. M. Neale Notes on Dalmatia 104 The vermin-tenanted houses are washed by the pure green waves of the lovely bay.

vermin-like adj.

ΚΠ

1685 Roxburghe Ballads (1884) V. 214 His..disagreeable Vermin-like Face.

1914 J. Joyce Dubliners 86 A horde of grimy children populated the street... He picked his way deftly through all that minute vermin-like life.

vermin puddle n. (see quot.).

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > clay compositions > [noun] > with gravel

cob1602

pisé1797

vermin puddle1850

terre pisée1936

1850 J. Ogilvie Imperial Dict. Vermin Puddle, puddle formed of stiff clay and small stones or gravel beaten together until it forms a mass like pudding stone. It is used in the embankments of reservoirs, to prevent..the inroads of water rats and other vermin.

vermin voice n.

ΚΠ

1859 Ld. Tennyson Elaine in Idylls of King 154 The vermin voices here May buzz so loud—we scorn them, but they sting.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	vermin
释义	verminn.adj. Brit. /ˈvəːmɪn/, U.S. /ˈvərmən/ Forms: α. Middle English–1500s vermyn, Middle English–1600s vermyne, 1500s vermynne, Scottish verming, 1500s–1700s vermine, 1500s– vermin; 1600s, 1800s dialect, varmin, 1600s, 1800s U.S., virmin. β. Middle English–1600s vermen, 1500s varmen. γ. Middle English vermayn, 1500s vermayne. See also varmint n.¹ Etymology: < Anglo-Norman and Old French vermin (masculine), vermine (feminine) (modern French vermine, Portuguese vermena, Italian vermine) < popular Latin vermīnum, vermīna, < vermis worm. The rare γ-form is probably directly from the Old French variant vermain (compare modern Burgundian vermaigne, Picard vermeinn). 1. collective. Animals of a noxious or objectionable kind: a. Originally applied to reptiles, stealthy or slinking animals, and various wild beasts; now, except in U.S. and Australian usage (see sense 1b), almost entirely restricted to those animals or birds which prey upon preserved game, crops, etc. †Also in beast of vermin. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > by nature > [noun] > vermin > collectively verminc1340 filtha1398 vermina1400 vermin1470 carrion1477 varminta1539 cattle1600 game1748 α. (a) a1400 K. Alis. (Linc. Inn MS.) 6112 Euetis & snakes and paddokes brode, Þat heom þouȝte mete gode, Al vermyn þey eteþ. a1400–50 Alexander 5422 A vale full of vermyn & all of vile neddirs. 1406 Patent Roll 7 Hen. IV ii. m. 28 Feras et alia animalia vermyne nuncupata. 1439 Rolls of Parl. V. 24/1 Chese and Buttur is a Merchaundise that..wil take grete empayryng by bestes of Vermyn and Wormes. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xlix Whanne they haue brought forth their byrdes: to se that they be well kept fro the gleed, crowes, fullymartes, and other vermyne. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Erasmus in Panoplie Epist. 355 The Catt frayeth away rattes, myce, and noysome vermine. 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 40^v When the Corne is ripe..it is to be cut downe out of hande..because that birdes, and other vermine wyll devoure it. 1603 G. Owen Descr. Penbrokshire (1892) 268 The rest..are rather vermyne than beastes of game; such is the wild Catte, the Brocke and such like. 1630 M. Drayton David & Goliah in Muses Elizium 186 His father's flock..he From rauenous vermine hourely vs'd to free, His onely armes, his Sling and Sheephooke were. 1642 D. Rogers Naaman 23 We are still at Gods advantage in all, by wet, by drought, by fire, and vermine. a1677 J. Taylor Contempl. State Man (1684) ii. vi. 243 A hole..filled with Snakes, Lizards, and other poisonous Vermin. 1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 120 From these three Cats, I afterwards came to be so pester'd with Cats, that I was forc'd to kill them like Vermine, or wild Beasts. 1825 W. Hone Every-day Bk. (1826) I. 991 The other dogs were good-looking savage vermin, averaging about 40lbs. weight. 1859 C. Darwin Origin of Species iii. 68 That the stock of partridges, grouse, and hares on any large estate depends chiefly on the destruction of vermin. 1900 Westm. Gaz. 29 Dec. 10/1 The fox..is..regarded in the Highlands by farmers and game-preservers as one of the worst species of vermin. (b)1832 J. P. Kennedy Swallow Barn I. xvi. 163 The finest place..to catch vermin, as they call the three latter species of animals [i.e. racoons, opossums, and rabbits].1872 M. S. De Vere Americanisms 564 Varmin, as all wild animals are called in hunter's phrase, whether they are hunted for sport, for profit, or for extermination.1891 E. Jenks Govt. Victoria xxxi. 291 (note) ‘Vermin’ includes kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes, stray dogs, foxes, and rabbits, and any other animal or bird proclaimed by the Governor in Council.β. c1400 Pilgr. Sowle (1483) iii. x. 56 There also sawe I a wondre grete pytte ful of vermen.1526 Bible (Tyndale) Acts x. 12 A certayne vessell..where in wer all maner of iiij. foted beastes of the erth and vermen and wormes.1526 Bible (Tyndale) Rev. vi. 8 Power was geven vnto them..to kyll with swearde, and with honger, and with deeth that cometh of vermen of the erth.1592 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) vii. xxxvii. 161 The Weasell, Prince of Vermen.γ. a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. ccxix. f. cxl^v Of the Famyne that the people of that Countre susteyned, wonders are reported, that they shuld ete all maner of Uermayne as Cattes, rattes, dogges & other. b. Applied to creeping or wingless insects (and other minute animals) of a loathsome or offensive appearance or character, esp. those which infest or are parasitic on living beings and plants; also occasionally applied to winged insects of a troublesome nature. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > by nature > [noun] > vermin > tiny verminc1340 the world > animals > by nature > [noun] > vermin > collectively verminc1340 filtha1398 vermina1400 vermin1470 carrion1477 varminta1539 cattle1600 game1748 α. c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 916 Aftir man,..vermyn es, And aftir vermyn stynkand uglynes. c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) viii. 31 In þat abbay commes neuer fleess, ne flyes, ne nan oþer swilk vermyn of corrupcioun. 1483 W. Caxton tr. A. Chartier Curial sig. iij^v We after ouermoche drynkyng of wynes and grete paynes lye doun ofte in beddes ful of vermyne. 1486 Bk. St. Albans c v b A medecyne for vermyn. 1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum (at cited word) Vermyn, as flees, lyse, wormes, etc. 1591 ‘A. Foulweather’ Wonderfull Prognost. in Wks. (1879) II. 165 Beggers on Sunne shine dayes..commit great murthers vpon their rebellious vermine. 1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 103 Some of them..are transformed very strangely into a kind of vermin or wormes, who beeing couered with a hard crust or shell, lye as it were dead all the winter. 1665 T. Herbert Some Years Trav. (new ed.) 314 In Summer, their Slaves attend about them..to scare away the Gnats and such like buzzing vermine. 1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 574 Here rather let me drudge and earn my bread, Till vermin or the draff of servil food Consume me. View more context for this quotation 1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 252 Hot Weather fills the Air with Vermine. 1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson i. v. 42 These operations were extremely necessary for correcting the noisome stench on board, and destroying the vermin. a1821 J. Keats Otho iv. ii, in R. M. Milnes Life, Lett. & Lit. Remains Keats (1848) II. 180 No wrinkles, where all vices nestle in Like crannied vermin. 1830 J. Baxter Libr. Agric. & Hort. Knowl. 485 Vermin of the Insect kind. The insects which infest plants, orchard trees, &c. are almost as numerous as the plants, or trees themselves. 1875 H. C. Wood Treat. Therapeutics (1879) 364 For this reason tobacco ought never to be employed, as it formerly was, to kill vermin on the person. figurative and in extended use.1592 T. Lodge Euphues Shadow (Hunterian Club) 10 Many there were that carryed vermine in theyr toongues to open secrecie.a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1958) IX. 302 To the consideration of these vermine of the soule, lesser and unconsidered sins.β. 1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Cij^v When any flyes or other creping vermen are entered into the sayde riftes of theyr skinnes.1599 T. Dallam Diary in J. T. Bent Early Voy. Levant (1893) i. 54 Thare we saw diverse sortes of varmen, which we have not the like in Inglande. 2. With a, that, this, etc. a. In generic or collective sense: A kind or class of obnoxious animals. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > by nature > [noun] > vermin > class of verminc1386 c1386 G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale 1039 Youre woful moder wende stedefastly, That cruel houndes or som foul vermyne Had eten yow. a1400–50 Alexander 3948 Quen he had voidid þis vermyn & vencust þat of ynde. 1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Volucra, a vermine, whiche eateth the tender vines. 1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Cij Euen this greate beaste [the elephant]..is troubled with this lyttle vermyne [flies]. 1599 Dallam in Early Voy. Levant (1893) 54 We..weare sodonly wonderfully tormented with a varmen that was in our pillowes, the which did bite farr worss than fleaes. 1609 P. Holland tr. Ammianus Marcellinus Rom. Hist. 212 This Crocodile is..a dangerous vermine used to both elements. 1635 G. Wither Coll. Emblemes 215 Though the mice a harmfull vermine be. 1725 T. Thomas in Portland Papers (Hist. MSS. Comm.) VI. 110 A fox just suspended on a pole,..the shepherds..being much infested by this vermin all hereabouts. a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. i. 113 Diseases..proceeding from an imperceptible vermin swarming within us. †b. A single animal or insect of this kind. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > by nature > [noun] > vermin mothOE verminc1460 varminta1539 c1460 J. Metham Wks. (1916) 62/1668 As at the sege off Thebes Ampyorax..Fyl in-to helle alle qwyk, ryght so this foule best an vermyne Myght falle thorw the erth to helle pyne. 1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope v. viii Ha cursed & euylle serpent, vermyn and fals traytour, thow hast deceyued me. 1526 Bible (Tyndale) Acts xxviii. 5 He shuke of the vermen [L. vipera] into the fyre. 1590 E. Spenser Visions Worlds Vanitie 77 The subtill vermin [sc. a spider] creeping closely neare, Did in his drinke shed poyson priuilie. 1604 N. Breton Passionate Shepheard (1877) sig. C3^v If I see the Wolfe, the Brocke, the Foxe, Or any varmin stealing downe a furrowe. 1613 G. Chapman Reuenge Bussy D'Ambois v. sig. K1^v Storme not, nor beate your selfe thus gainst the dores, Like to a sauage vermine in a trap. 1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. ii. 153 'Tis true, A Scorpions Oyl is said To cure the Wounds the Vermine made. 1809 W. Scott Poacher 11 Thine eye, applausive, each sly vermin sees, That baulks the snare, yet battens on the cheese. †c. In plural in preceding senses. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > by nature > [noun] > vermin > collectively verminc1340 filtha1398 vermina1400 vermin1470 carrion1477 varminta1539 cattle1600 game1748 1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur viii. iii. 277 Of beestes of venery and beestes of chace, and alle manere of vermayns. 1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur x. lii. 500 Whiche were beestes of chace and beestes of venery, and whiche were vermyns. 1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Agst. Idolatry iii. sig. Nn iij We haue not folowed the Gentyles in makyng of images of beastes, fyshes, and vermins also. 1585 R. Parsons Christian Directorie i. viii. 86 It must be cast out to serue for the food of vermines. 1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 145 There doe engender in pulse, certain little venomous Vermins. 1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck s.v Vermeluwen, To be full of Maggots, Vermins, or Wormes. 3. figurative. Applied to persons of a noxious, vile, objectionable, or offensive character or type.Frequently used as a term of abuse or opprobrium; in modern dialect sometimes without serious implication of bad qualities. a. In collective use. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > offensiveness > offensive person > [noun] > plural vermin1562 verminaille1600 swinehood1797 1562 N. Winȝet Wks. (S.T.S.) II. 31 On the wthir syde, contrare cryis certane padokis, filthy verming, and fleis.., of the quhilk sort are the Pelagianis. 1577 tr. ‘F. de L'Isle’ Legendarie sig. Miv^v We may then vtterly roote out this vermine (for so did the Cardinal call the Protestantes). 1586 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. I. 156 Dancers, minstrels, baudes, and such like vermin, whereof commonly there is no want about great personages. 1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 107 Whole swarmes of duskish vermin, to wit, a number of hideous high-land Scots and Picts. 1690 T. Burnet Theory of Earth iv. 214 No knaves, cheats, hypocrites; the vermin of this earth, that swarm every where. 1710 S. Palmer Moral Ess. Prov. 81 He that falls once into the company of such vermin has a misfortune. 1767 A. Young Farmer's Lett. 243 These vermin, who are generally labourers, swarm in every village round me. 1820 T. B. Macaulay in G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay (1876) I. ii. 98 A coronation all unknown To Europe's royal vermin. 1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in Idylls of King 12 I will avenge this insult,..And I will track this vermin to their earths. 1876 G. Meredith Beauchamp's Career I. ii. 29 The poacher was another kind of vermin than the stupid tenant. b. A single person or individual of this type. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > offensiveness > offensive person > [noun] vermin1581 crab-staffa1603 crab1825 crab-stick1840 rotter1879 undesirable1883 greaser1900 foul ball1918 jabroni1919 cockhead1972 nutsack1984 1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 76 b O monstruous vermine: did I ever speake or thinke any such matter? 1627 J. Taylor Armado sig. C8 As a Horse being dead in the feilds and stripd, is a banquet for Dogs,..so is a Surety to those Vermins, who..prey vpon his estate. a1656 H. Rolle Abridgment des Cases (1668) sig. J3 He is a corrupt man, he is a Vermine in the Commonwealth. 1682 J. Dryden Medall 3 A Vermin, wriggling in th' Usurper's Ear. Bart'ring his venal wit for sums of gold. 1720 Humourist 192 Human Society is not infested with a more dangerous Vermin than a Flatterer. 1797 R. Southey Lett. from Spain xxviii. 517 Here I was shown a den in which a Hermit lived twelve years; a small hole for so large a vermin. 1842 J. Wilson Christopher North (1857) I. 137 The accursed vermin died somewhere in the Cottage. 1881 Ld. Salisbury in Daily Tel. 14 Nov. 2/5 The landlord is an outcast, and a vermin so horrible [etc.]. 4. to stand true vermin, to show pluck and persistency. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > courage > spirit > show spirit [verb] to do musterc1400 to stand true vermin1834 spunkc1850 1834 P. Hawker Diary (1893) II. 67 My horse shied..and down we both came... But I stood true vermin, and tried the islands afterwards for snipe. †5. As adj. Verminous. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > offensiveness > [adjective] bysenc1375 offensivea1548 nasty1548 beastly1584 whelpish1586 heathenish1592 viperous1593 vermin1602 verminousc1616 unchristian1630 verminian1640 rancida1646 verminly1653 spider-like1655 exceptionable1691 skunky1842 slaggy1943 schmucky1952 grotty1964 grody1965 1602 2nd Pt. Returne fr. Parnassus i. iv. 443 See how a little vermine pouerty altereth a whole milkie disposition. Compounds General attributive. C1. Simple attributive. vermin head n. ΚΠ 1799 Addingham (Cumberld.) Par. Bk. (MS.) 8 Vermin Heads, 2 : 8. vermin-trap n. ΚΠ 1664 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense 61 in Sylva Continue Vermine Trapps. 1862 Catal. Internat. Exhib., Brit. II. No. 6133 Every description of wild beast, game, and vermin traps. C2. Objective and objective genitive. a. vermin-catcher n. ΚΠ 1811 Sporting Mag. 38 221 Were they associated as a body of vermin-catchers? vermin-destroyer n. ΚΠ 1811 Sporting Mag. 38 222 They were a club of vermin-destroyers. vermin-killer n. ΚΠ 1680 W. W. (title) The Vermin Killer, being a very necessary Family-Book, containing Exact Rules and Directions for the Artificial Killing and Destroying of all manner of Vermin, etc. 1772 T. Simpson Compl. Vermin-killer (title) The Complete Vermin-killer. 1889 Daily News 21 June 7/1 Two packets of vermin killer containing about six grains of strychnine. 1893 W. H. Hudson Idle Days Patagonia v. 59 The common dog of the country is..a good watch-dog and vermin-killer. b. vermin-destroying adj. ΚΠ ?188. Dogs (Brit. Stand. Handbks.) iv. 18 Any of the vermin-destroying powders. vermin-killing adj. ΚΠ 1773 Ann. Reg. 1772 i. 129 He acquired 2000l. by vermin-killing. 1829 W. Scott Guy Mannering (new ed.) I. xxiii. Note C The race of Pepper and Mustard are in the highest estimation at this day, not only for vermin-killing, but for intelligence and fidelity. 1864 J. C. Atkinson Stanton Grange 67 Vermin-killing was well carried out there. vermin-proof adj. ΚΠ 1937 Discovery Dec. 388/1 Vermin-, rot- and fire-proof. 1982 M. Young Elmhirsts of Dartington iv. 81 A vermin-proof rice store. C3. Instrumental or similative.It is not clear whether wermine brome, glossing Latin murica in Wright-Wülcker 644, is an attributive use of this word. a. vermin-covered adj. vermin-eaten adj. ΚΠ 1837 C. Dickens Let. 7 Sept. (1965) I. 304 If the Pickwick has been the means of putting a few shillings in the vermin-eaten pockets of so miserable a creature, [etc.]. 1901 ‘L. Malet’ Hist. Richard Calmady v. iii. 398 The removal of wailing, alms-demanding, vermin-eaten wrecks of humanity. 1931 R. Campbell Georgiad i. 16 So many poets..sigh to share their [sc. gypsies'] vermin-eaten ways. vermin-footed adj. ΚΠ 1865 E. Burritt Walk to Land's End 182 There were scarcely any daisies or buttercups, or even the vermin-footed charlock. vermin-haunted adj. ΚΠ 1831 T. P. Thompson Exercises (1842) I. 417 To throw it off like a vermin-haunted garment. 1861 J. M. Neale Notes on Dalmatia 97 A tolerable inn, not more dirty nor vermin-haunted than usual. vermin-ridden adj. vermin-tenanted adj. ΚΠ 1861 J. M. Neale Notes on Dalmatia 104 The vermin-tenanted houses are washed by the pure green waves of the lovely bay. b. vermin-like adj. ΚΠ 1685 Roxburghe Ballads (1884) V. 214 His..disagreeable Vermin-like Face. 1914 J. Joyce Dubliners 86 A horde of grimy children populated the street... He picked his way deftly through all that minute vermin-like life. c. vermin puddle n. (see quot.). ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > clay compositions > [noun] > with gravel cob1602 pisé1797 vermin puddle1850 terre pisée1936 1850 J. Ogilvie Imperial Dict. Vermin Puddle, puddle formed of stiff clay and small stones or gravel beaten together until it forms a mass like pudding stone. It is used in the embankments of reservoirs, to prevent..the inroads of water rats and other vermin. vermin voice n. ΚΠ 1859 Ld. Tennyson Elaine in Idylls of King 154 The vermin voices here May buzz so loud—we scorn them, but they sting. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online June 2022). † verminv. Etymology: < vermin n. Obsolete. rare. transitive. To clear of vermin. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > pest control > remove vermin from [verb (transitive)] vermin1573 disinfest1920 1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 30^v Get warriner bound, to vermine thy ground. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online June 2021). < n.adj.c1340v.1573
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verminn.adj.

Compounds

† verminv.