vermyn

Middle English

Alternative forms

• vermayne, vermine, vermyne

Etymology

Borrowed from Old French vermin, vermine, from Vulgar Latin *verminum.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /vɛrˈmiːn/, /ˈvɛrmin/

Noun

vermyn (plural vermyns)

1. (collective) Dangerous or foul animals; beasts or pests.
2. (collective) Pestilent or odious insects or other invertebrates.
3. (hunting, often collective) Worthless or unwanted quarry.

Descendants

• English: vermin, varmint
• Scots: vermin, vermil

References

• “vermin, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.