reinfestv.
/ˌriːɪnˈfɛst/, U.S. /ˌriᵻnˈfɛst/ transitive. To infest again; (in later use esp.) to infest with insects or other pests for a second or further time.
ΚΠ
1606 G. W. tr. Epit. Liues Emperors in tr. Justinus Hist. sig. Kk j Vnderstandinge that the Saracens had re-infested Calabria, hee speeded thither.
1657 N. Billingsley Brachy-martyrologia 153 The Britains with ill-neighbours re-infested, Instead of turning to the Lord, requested The Pagan Saxons aid.
1755 Mem. Shakespear's-head in Covent Garden I. 200 After this motley Group had been severally examin'd, and dispersed either to peopling Bridewell or re-infesting the Streets, [etc.].
1823 A. Moysey Confederates I. 231 The two adventurers whose fortunes we are to trace..now re-infested the English out-posts.
1889 Bull. Misc. Information (Royal Gardens, Kew) 216 There is always danger that a tree once sprayed will get reinfested.
1914 Public Health Rep. (U.S. Public Health Service) 29 456 The higher reaches of the Bitter Root Mountains are infested with ticks ever ready to serve as foci for reinfesting the west side of the valley.
1947 P. A. Buxton Louse (ed. 2) v. 114 They only give protection against reinfestation for about twenty-four hours: this, however, is of minor importance in treating patients in hospital, because they are not likely to be reinfested.
1975 Times 26 July 12/7 Insecticide treatment did not work; the insects were killed, but the vines were quickly reinfested.
2004 Weed Sci. 52 379/2 Further tillage operations may resurface seed and reinfest the area with tropical signalgrass.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
v.1606