pernicious

Adjective
Synonyms: banefuldeadlypestilentinsidioussubtle

WordNet 3.0

Adjective (2)

  1. exceedingly harmfulSynonyms: banefuldeadlypestilent
  2. working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way“glaucoma is an insidious disease”“a subtle poison”Synonyms: insidioussubtle
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Pernicious \Per*ni"cious\, a. [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. [1913 Webster]

Let this pernicious hour Stand aye accursed in the calendar. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Pernicious to his health. --Prescott. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Destructive; ruinous; deadly; noxious; injurious; baneful; deleterious; hurtful; mischievous. [1913 Webster] -- Per*ni"cious*ly, adv., -- Per*ni"cious*ness, n. [1913 Webster]

Pernicious \Per*ni"cious\, a. [L. pernix, -icis.] Quick; swift (to burn). [R.] --Milton. [1913 Webster]
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