vicious

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Anglo-Norman vicious, Old French vicious (modern French vicieux), from Latin vitiōsus, from vitium (“‘fault, vice’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈvɪʃəs/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

  Rhymes: -ɪʃəs

[edit] Adjective

vicious (comparative more vicious, superlative most vicious)

1. Pertaining to vice; characterised by immorality or depravity.
   • 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, Folio Society 2006, vol. 1 p. 195:

     We may so seize on vertue, that if we embrace it with an over-greedy and violent desire, it may become vitious.

2. Evil, immoral or depraved.
3. Violent, destructive and cruel.
4. Savage and aggressive.

[edit] Translations