deleterious

The definition of deleterious is something that is harmful or damaging.

(adjective)

An example of deleterious is how smoking can kill a human being.

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See deleterious in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

harmful to health or well-being; injurious

Origin: Gr dēlētērios < dēlēter, a destroyer < dēleisthai, to injure < IE base *del-, to split

Related Forms:

See deleterious in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
Having a harmful effect; injurious: the deleterious effects of smoking.

Origin:

Origin: From Greek dēlētērios

Origin: , from dēlētēr, destroyer

Origin: , from dēleisthai, to harm

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Related Forms:

  • delˌe·teˈri·ous·ly adverb
  • delˌe·teˈri·ous·ness noun

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