plague rat
The term "plague rat" can refer to both literal disease-carrying rodents and metaphorically to people who spread illness or misfortune.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2Health
(technical)A rodent that transmits the plague, especially the bubonic plague, through its bite.
Example
- During the Black Death, the plague rat was a common carrier of the disease.
B2Social
(derogatory, informal)A person who disregards health guidelines and contributes to the spread of disease.
Example
- He was called a plague rat for attending large gatherings during the pandemic.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "plague rat":
sewer ratplague spottree ratrice ratfield ratwater ratplague crossrock ratpurple plaguelaboratory ratriver ratshack ratfish-eating ratlab ratpack ratbush ratrat's nestspiny ratwhite plaguerat-bite feverwharf ratsea rat