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pernicious

per·ni·cious [ pər níshəss ]


adjective 
Definition:
 
1. causing serious harm: causing great harm, destruction, or death

2. malicious: wicked or meaning to cause harm

[Early 16th century. Via French< Latin perniciosus< pernicies "complete destruction" < nec- "destruction"]

per·ni·cious·ly adverb
per·ni·cious·ness noun
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