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pernicious

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The definition of pernicious is deadly or very destructive.

(adjective)

An example of pernicious is the devastating effects of intense drug use.

See pernicious in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

causing great injury, destruction, or ruin; fatal; deadly
Rare wicked; evil

Origin: Fr pernicieux < L perniciosus < pernicies, destruction < pernecare, to kill < per, thoroughly + necare, to kill: see necro-

Related Forms:

perniciously adverb
perniciousness noun

See pernicious in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

a. Tending to cause death or serious injury; deadly: a pernicious virus.
b. Causing great harm; destructive: pernicious rumors.
Archaic Evil; wicked.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French pernicios

Origin: , from Latin perniciōsus

Origin: , from perniciēs, destruction

Origin: : per-, per-

Origin: + nex, nec-, violent death; see nek-¹ in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

per·niˈcious·ly adverb

per·niˈcious·ness noun

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