figurative (or in figurative context): Anything that causes pain, grief, or trouble; in various metaphors, similes, and proverbial expressions, as a…

A particular affliction, calamity, or evil, esp. one interpreted as a sign of divine anger or justice, or as divine punishment or retribution…

figurative and in extended use. Often with of, to. A person who is opposed to or prejudiced against a state, condition, etc.

gen. Anything that causes harm or mischief, physical or moral. the social evil: prostitution.

Used as rendering of French fléau scourge.

That which causes or embodies a loss; something detrimental.

figurative or in figurative expressions. referring to biting or gnawing; hence denoting a hurtful, hostile, destructive, or devouring agency or…

A canine tooth; a tusk. In pl. applied gen. to the teeth of dogs, wolves, or other animals remarkable for strength of jaw.

A cause of decay; the ‘destruction’ or ‘ruin of’ anything. Obsolete.

That which causes ruin, or is pernicious to well-being; the agent or instrument of ruin or woe, the ‘curse.’ (Now the ordinary sense.)

figurative. Something that wounds or afflicts grievously.

A cause of (usually, widespread) calamity. Applied, e.g. to a cruel tyrant, a warrior, a war, a disease that destroys many lives.

A great evil (regarded more or less vaguely as inflicted or resting upon a person, community, etc.); a thing which blights or blasts; a blasting…

Anything that blights.

A genus of Schizomycetæ, microscopic vegetable organisms of the lowest grade among what were once called Infusoria. Separated from Bacterium, with…