noun

lŭes

gen. luis · gender feminine · decl. 3rd

(nom. , Prud. Hamart. 250; id. Psych. 508; old acc. lueruem, i. e. luerem for luem, Carm. Fratr. Arv.), akin to λοιμός; Sanscr. root lū, to cut; cf. λυτήρ, λύτρον, solvo

a plague, pestilence

a plague, pestilence.

•

Lit., Carm. Fratr. Arv.: dira lues quondam Latias vitiaverat auras, Ov. M. 15, 626: lues et pestifer annus, Verg. A. 3, 139; Mart. 1, 79, 2; Luc. 2, 199; Licin. Macer. ap. Non. 52, 10.—

by extension

Any spreading evil, common calamity; misfortune; •

Any spreading evil, common calamity or misfortune; of war: immensa belli lues, Tac. H. 3, 15; of an earthquake, id. A. 2, 47; of a tempest, Sen. Hippol. 1117.—

a plague, pest ••

As a term of abuse, of whatever has a blighting influence, a plague, pest, Cic. Harusp. Resp. 12: saeva Thebarum lues, i. e. the Sphinx, Sen. Phoen. 131: illa horrida lues, of Hannibal, Sil. 10, 603: dira illa lues, id. 16, 622: pellere saevam Quondam fata luem dederunt Aquilone creatis, i. e. the Harpies, Val. Fl. 4, 431. —

Decay, corruption •

Decay, corruption: morum, Plin. 29, 1, 8, § 27.

Perseus ID: n27173 Key: lues1