was wotd|2007|November|13
English
Etymology
From AGr. δηληÏ�ήÏ�ιοÏ� "deleterios", from δηλÎομαι, "to hurt, to damage."
Pronunciation
a|RP IPA|/�d�lɪ�tɪ�ri�s/|/�dɪlɪ�tɪ�ri�s/
a|US IPA|/�d�l��tɪri�s/
audio|en-us-deleterious.ogg|Audio (US)
rhymes|ɪ�ri�s
Adjective
en-adj
- harmful or hurtful, to physical, mental or moral health.
#:a deleterious chemical
#:*1850, w:Nathaniel Hawthorne|Nathaniel Hawthorne, s:The Scarlet Letter/XV|The Scarlet Letter - Chapter XV,
#:*: Or might it suffice him, that every wholesome growth should be converted into something deleterious and malignant at his touch?
Usage notes
Often used in contexts of exasperation or ironic dramatization.
Synonyms
sense|harmful destructive, harmful, hurtful, injurious, noxious, pernicious
Derived terms
deleteriously
Related terms
delete
deletion
deletory
el:deleterious
io:deleterious
pl:deleterious
fi:deleterious
vi:deleterious
zh:deleterious
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