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Webster 1913 Edition

Pernicious

Per-ni′cious

,
Adj.
[L.
pernix
,
-icis
.]
Quick; swift (to burn).
[R.]
Milton.

Per-ni′cious

,
Adj.
[L.
perniciosus
, from
pernicies
destruction, from
pernecare
to kill or slay outright;
per + necare
to kill, slay: cf. F.
pernicieux
. Cf.
Nuisance
,
Necromancy
.]
Having the quality of injuring or killing; destructive; very mischievous; baleful; malicious; wicked.
Let this
pernicious
hour
Stand aye accursed in the calendar.
Shakespeare
Pernicious
to his health.
Prescott.
Syn. – Destructive; ruinous; deadly; noxious; injurious; baneful; deleterious; hurtful; mischievous.
–
Per-ni′cious-ly
,
adv.
, –
Per-ni′cious-ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition

Pernicious

PERNI'CIOUS

,
Adj.
[L. perniciosus, from pernicies; perneco, to kill; per and nex, necis,death.]
1.
Destructive; having the quality of killing, destroying or injuring; very injurious or mischievous. Food, drink or air may be pernicious to life or health.
2.
Destructive; tending to injure or destroy. Evil examples are pernicious to morals. Intemperance is a pernicious vice.
3.
[L. pernix.] Quick. [Not used.]

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