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.
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.—
II Transf.
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.—
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. —
C Decay, corruption : morum, Plin. 29, 1, 8, § 27.