pernicious

== English == === Etymology 1 === From Middle English, from Old French pernicios, from Latin perniciōsus (“destructive”), from perniciēs (“destruction”), from per (“through”) + nex (“slaughter, death”). ==== Pronunciation ==== (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /pəˈnɪʃəs/ (General American) IPA(key): /pɚˈnɪʃəs/ Rhymes: -ɪʃəs ==== Adjective ==== pernicious (comparative more pernicious, superlative most pernicious) Causing much harm in a subtle way. Synonyms: deleterious, (obsolete) venom Causing death or injury; deadly. Synonym: attery (of a person) Insidiously villainous: intending to cause harm, especially in a subtle way. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === Analyzable as pernīx ("swift") + -ious. ==== Adjective ==== pernicious (comparative more pernicious, superlative most pernicious) (obsolete) swift; celeritous. ===== Related terms ===== pernicity === Anagrams === superionic