Vi"cious (?), a. [OF. vicious, F. vicieux, fr. L. vitiosus, fr. vitium vice. See Vice a fault.]

1.

Characterized by vice or defects; defective; faulty; imperfect.

Though I perchance am vicious in my guess. Shak.

The title of these lords was vicious in its origin. Burke.

A charge against Bentley of vicious reasoning. De Quincey.

2.

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. Milton.

3.

Wanting purity; foul; bad; noxious; as, vicious air, water, etc.

Dryden.

4.

Not correct or pure; corrupt; as, vicious language; vicious idioms.

5.

Not well tamed or broken; given to bad tricks; unruly; refractory; as, a vicious horse.

6.

Bitter; spiteful; malignant.

[Colloq.]

Syn. -- Corrupt; faulty; wicked; depraved.

-- Vi"cious*ly, adv. -- Vi"cious*ness, n.

 

© Webster 1913.

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