English

deleterious

Meaning
Synonyms
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  1. (formal) Harmful, often in a subtle or unexpected way.
  2. Having lower fitness.

Pronounced as (IPA)
/ˌdɛlɪˈtɪəɹi.əs/
Etymology

Adapted borrowing (1640s; 1582 as deletorious) of New Latin dēlētērius, dēlētōrius + -ous, from Ancient Greek δηλητήριος (dēlētḗrios, “noxious, deleterious”), from δηλητήρ (dēlētḗr, “a destroyer”), from δηλέομαι (dēléomai, “I hurt, damage, spoil, waste”). Not related to delete. Doublet of deletery.

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