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.
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.
