infest Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb invade in great numbers
    overrun.
    • the roaches infested our kitchen
  2. verb occupy in large numbers or live on a host
    invade; overrun.
    • the Kudzu plant infests much of the South and is spreading to the North
  3. verb live on or in a host, as of parasites

WordNet

In*fest" adjective
Etymology
L. infestus. See Infest, v. t.
Definitions
  1. Mischievous; hurtful; harassing. Obs. Spenser.
In*fest" transitive verb
Etymology
L. infestare, fr. infestus disturbed, hostile, troublesome; in in, against + the root of defendere: cf. F. infester. See Defend.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Infested; present participle & verbal noun Infesting
Definitions
  1. 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 1913