In*sid"i*ous (?), a. [L. insidiosus, fr. insidiae an ambush, fr. insidere to sit in; pref. in- + sedere to sit: cf. F. insidieux. See Sit.]

1.

Lying in wait; watching an opportunity to insnare or entrap; deceitful; sly; treacherous; -- said of persons; as, the insidious foe.

"The insidious witch."

Cowper.

2.

Intended to entrap; characterized by treachery and deceit; as, insidious arts.

The insidious whisper of the bad angel. Hawthorne.

Insidious disease Med., a disease existing, without marked symptoms, but ready to become active upon some slight occasion; a disease not appearing to be as bad as it really is.

Syn. -- Crafty; wily; artful; sly; designing; guileful; circumventive; treacherous; deceitful; deceptive.

-- In*sid"i*ous*ly, adv. -- In*sid"i*ous*ness, n.

 

© Webster 1913.

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