Pernicious
Word of the Day
What is Pernicious?
adjective
Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
Pronunciation
Why This Word?
Chosen to emphasize how the most dangerous forces are often not loud or sudden, but creeping and hidden.
Examples of Use
Here's how this word appears in everyday language:
The pernicious weed spread across the farmland.
She argued against the pernicious influence of propaganda.
The disease had a pernicious effect on the community.
Word Origins
Latin perniciosus meaning “destructive, ruinous”
From pernicies (“ruin, death”), tied to necare (“to kill”).
First appearance in English: 16th century
Word Family
Related forms of this word:
-
Noun:
The perniciousness of gossip was evident.
-
Adjective:
The harmful effects of smoking are well-known.
-
Adjective:
It was an insidious, creeping danger.
Around the World
How this word appears in other languages:
- Spanish: pernicioso
- French: pernicieux
- German: schädlich
- Italian: pernicioso
- Portuguese: pernicioso
If you Already Know This Word
If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:
Malicious
“Malicious” implies intent; “pernicious” focuses on effect.
Insidious
“Insidious” is hidden harm; “pernicious” can be hidden or overt.
Destructive
“Destructive” is direct damage; “pernicious” is often gradual.
Fun Facts
- “Pernicious anemia,” once often fatal, is now treatable with vitamin B12 therapy.
- The term was common in sermons to warn about moral decay in early modern England.
Cultural Usage
- “Pernicious anemia” is a condition caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Shakespeare’s villains are often described as pernicious forces of chaos.
Common Mistakes
Often confused with “malicious”; “pernicious” stresses harm, not intent.
Micro Story
The pernicious spread of misinformation shaped public opinion.