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Webster 1913 Edition

Insidious

In-sid′i-ous

,
Adj.
[L.
insidiosus
, fr.
insidiae
an ambush, fr.
insidere
to sit in; pref.
in-
+
sedere
to sit: cf. F.
insidieux
. See
Sit
.]
1.
Lying in wait; watching an opportunity to insnare or entrap; deceitful; sly; treacherous; – said of persons;
as, the
insidious
foe
.
“The insidious witch.”
Cowper.
2.
Intended to entrap; characterized by treachery and deceit;
as,
insidious
arts
.
The
insidious
whisper of the bad angel.
Hawthorne.
–
In-sid′i-ous-ly
,
adv.
–
In-sid′i-ous-ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition

Insidious

INSID'IOUS

,
Adj.
[L. insidiosus, from insideo, to lie in wait; in and sedeo, to sit.]
1.
Properly, lying in wait; hence, watching an opportunity to insnare or entrap; deceitful; sly; treacherous; used of persons.
2.
Intended to entrap; as insidious arts.

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