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Webster 1913 Edition

Vermin

Ver′min

,
Noun.
s
ing.
&
pl.
; used chiefly as plural.
[OE.
vermine
, F.
vermine
, from L.
vermis
a worm; cf. LL.
vermen
a worm, L.
verminosus
full of worms. See
Vermicular
,
Worm
.]
1.
An animal, in general.
[Obs.]
Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and
vermin
, and worms, and fowls.
Acts x. 12. (Geneva Bible).
This crocodile is a mischievous fourfooted beast, a dangerous
vermin
, used to both elements.
Holland.
2.
A noxious or mischievous animal; especially, noxious little animals or insects, collectively, as squirrels, rats, mice, worms, flies, lice, bugs, etc.
“Cruel hounds or some foul vermin.”
Chaucer.
Great injuries these
vermin
, mice and rats, do in the field.
Mortimer.
They disdain such
vermin
when the mighty boar of the forest . . . is before them.
Burke.
3.
Hence, in contempt, noxious human beings.
You are my prisoners, base
vermin
.
Hudibras.

Webster 1828 Edition

Vermin

VERM'IN

,
Noun.
sing, and plu; used chiefly in the plural. [L. vermes, worms.]
1.
All sorts of small animals which are destructive to grain or other produce; all noxious little animals or insects, as squirrels, rats, mice, worms, grubs, flies, &c.
These vermin do great injuries in the field.
2.
Used of noxious human beings in contempt; as base vermin.

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