\Ver"min\, n. sing. & pl.; used chiefly as plural. [OE.
vermine, F. vermine, from L. vermis a worm; cf. LL. vermen a
worm, L. verminosus full of worms. See {Vermicular}, {Worm}.]
1. An animal, in general. [Obs.]
         Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the
         earth, and vermin, and worms, and fowls. --Acts x.
                                               12. (Geneva
                                               Bible).
         This crocodile is a mischievous fourfooted beast, a
         dangerous vermin, used to both elements. --Holland.
2. A noxious or mischievous animal; especially, noxious
   little animals or insects, collectively, as squirrels,
   rats, mice, flies, lice, bugs, etc. ``Cruel hounds or some
   foul vermin.'' --Chaucer.
         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.
3. Hence, in contempt, noxious human beings.
         You are my prisoners, base vermin.    --Hudibras.