Etymology : Middle English, from Middle French vicieus, from Latin vitiosus full of faults, corrupt, from vitium vice
Pronunciation : vi-sh&s
Function : adjective
Date : 14th century
1. evil, spiteful; ferocious, fierce; faulty in character. vicious\vi"cious\ , a. [of. vicious, f. vicieux, fr. l. vitiosus, fr. vitium vice. see:
vice a fault.].
2. characterized by vice or defects; defective; faulty; imperfect. though i perchance am vicious in my guess. the title of these lords was vicious in its origin. a charge against bentley of vicious reasoning.
3. addicted to vice; corrupt in principles or conduct; depraved; wicked; as, vicious children; vicious examples; vicious conduct. who heard this heavy curse, servant of servants, on his vicious race.
4. wanting purity; foul; bad; noxious; as, vicious air, water, etc.
5. not correct or pure; corrupt; as, vicious language; vicious idioms.
6. not well tamed or broken; given to bad tricks; unruly; refractory; as, a vicious horse.
7. bitter; spiteful; malignant. [colloq.].
8. Characterized by vice or defects; defective; faulty; imperfect.
9. Addicted to vice; corrupt in principles or conduct; depraved; wicked; as, vicious children; vicious examples; vicious conduct.
10. Wanting purity; foul; bad; noxious; as, vicious air, water, etc.
11. Not correct or pure; corrupt; as, vicious language; vicious idioms.
12. Not well tamed or broken; given to bad tricks; unruly; refractory; as, a vicious horse.
13. Bitter; spiteful; malignant.
14. 1. A vicious person or a vicious blow is violent and cruel. He was a cruel and vicious man He suffered a vicious attack by a gang of white youths The blow was so sudden and vicious that he dropped to his knees. = brutal + viciously vi·cious·ly She had been viciously attacked with a hammer. + viciousness vi·cious·ness the intensity and viciousness of these attacks.
15. A vicious remark is cruel and intended to upset someone. It is a deliberate, nasty and vicious attack on a young man's character. = savage + viciously vi·cious·ly `He deserved to die,' said Penelope viciously.