Vēr'min, n. sing. & pl.
n. sing. & pl.; used chiefly as plural. [Fr. vermine, Pr. vermena, It. vermine, L. Lat. vermen, a worm, from Lat. vermis, a worm.]
Sense 1. An animal in general. [Obs.] “Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and vermin, and worms, and fowls of the air.” Acts x. 12, Geneva Bible.
This crocodile is a mischievous four-footed beast, a dangerous vermin, used to both elements. Holland.
Sense 2. A noxious or mischievous animal; especially, collectively, petty noxious little animals or insects, as squirrels, rats, mice, worms, grubs, flies, and the like.
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.
Sense 3. Hence, noxious human beings; — so called in contempt.
Ye are my prisoners, base vermin. Hudibras.