deleterious

[ del-i-teer-ee-uhs ]
/ ˌdɛl ɪˈtɪər i əs /

adjective

injurious to health: deleterious gases.
harmful; injurious: deleterious influences.

Origin of deleterious

1635–45; < Greek dēlētḗrios destructive, adj. derivative of dēlētḗr destroyer, equivalent to dēlē- variant stem of dēleîsthai to hurt, injure + -tēr agent suffix + -ios adj. suffix; see -ious

OTHER WORDS FROM deleterious

Example sentences from the Web for deleterious

British Dictionary definitions for deleterious

deleterious
/ (ˌdɛlɪˈtɪərɪəs) /

adjective

harmful; injurious; hurtful

Derived forms of deleterious

deleteriously, adverb deleteriousness, noun

Word Origin for deleterious

C17: from New Latin dēlētērius, from Greek dēlētērios injurious, destructive, from dēleisthai to hurt

Medical definitions for deleterious

deleterious
[ dĕl′ĭ-tîrē-əs ]

adj.

Having a harmful effect; injurious.