Lewis & Short

1. lŭes, is (nom. lŭis, Prud. Hamart. 250; id. Psych. 508; old acc. lueruem, i. e. luerem for luem, Carm. Fratr. Arv.), f. [akin to λοιμός; Sanscr. root lū, to cut; cf. λυτήρ, λύτρον, solvo], a plague, pestilence.

  1. I. 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.
  2. II. Transf.
    1. A. 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.
    2. B. 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.
    3. C. Decay, corruption: morum, Plin. 29, 1, 8, § 27.