infestare

to infest, to overrun

verb een-fes-TAH-reh Rare

Origin: Latin infestare (to attack, harass).

Usage Note

Infestare takes a direct object and describes pests, vermin, or hostile forces overrunning a place: i topi infestano il magazzino (mice infest the warehouse). It can be used figuratively for a crowd or problem overrunning a space. Auxiliary in compound tenses is avere.

Examples

"Le zanzare infestano il giardino d'estate."

Natural Translation

Mosquitoes infest the garden in summer.

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