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Webster 1913 Edition
Pernicious
Per-ni′cious
,Adj.
[L.
pernix
, -icis
.] Quick; swift (to burn).
[R.]
Milton.
Per-ni′cious
,Adj.
[L.
perniciosus
, from pernicies
destruction, from pernecare
to kill or slay outright; per + necare
to kill, slay: cf. F. pernicieux
. Cf. Nuisance
, Necromancy
.] Having the quality of injuring or killing; destructive; very mischievous; baleful; malicious; wicked.
Let this
Stand aye accursed in the calendar.
pernicious
hourStand aye accursed in the calendar.
Shakespeare
Pernicious
to his health. Prescott.
Syn. – Destructive; ruinous; deadly; noxious; injurious; baneful; deleterious; hurtful; mischievous.
– Per-ni′cious-ly
, adv.
Per-ni′cious-ness
, Noun.
Webster 1828 Edition
Pernicious
PERNI'CIOUS
,Adj.
1.
Destructive; having the quality of killing, destroying or injuring; very injurious or mischievous. Food, drink or air may be pernicious to life or health.2.
Destructive; tending to injure or destroy. Evil examples are pernicious to morals. Intemperance is a pernicious vice.3.
[L. pernix.] Quick. [Not used.]Definition 2024
pernicious
pernicious
English
Adjective
pernicious (comparative more pernicious, superlative most pernicious)
- Causing much harm in a subtle way.
- 1911, Emma Goldman, The Hypocrisy of Puritanism,
- Puritanism no longer employs the thumbscrew and lash; but it still has a most pernicious hold on the minds and feelings of the American people.
- 1911, Emma Goldman, The Hypocrisy of Puritanism,
- Causing death or injury; deadly.
Synonyms
Related terms
Derived terms
Translations
causing much harm
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causing death or injury
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