lŭes (noun F) : cf. λύω
* That which is not bound; hence, fluid, water not frozen: paulo ante lues, jam considenda jacebat,Petr. 123.

lŭes | lŭis (noun F) : (nom. , Prud. Hamart. 250; id. Psych. 508; old acc. lueruem, i. e. luerem for luem, Carm. Fratr. Arv.), akin to λοιμός; Sanscr. root lū, to cut; cf. λυτήρ, λύτρον, solvo
* A plague, pestilence.
* 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.
* Transf.
* 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.
* 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.
* Decay, corruption: morum,Plin. 29, 1, 8, § 27.

s. TLL