deleterious

/ˌdɛl.ɪˈtɪə̯.ɹi.əs/ · adj

Meaning

Harmful, often in a subtle or unexpected way.
Having lower fitness.

Etymology / origin

Adapted borrowing (1640s; 1582 as deletorious) of New Latin dēlētērius, dēlētōrius + -ous, from Ancient Greek δηλητήριος (dēlētḗrios, “noxious, deleterious”), from δηλητήρ (dēlētḗr, “a destroyer”), from δηλέομαι (dēléomai, “I hurt, damage, spoil, waste”). Not related to delete or deleble. Doublet of deletery.

δηλητήριος(Ancient Greek)→
deleterious (English)
Relations: der

Related words

δηλητήριος(Ancient Greek)

Sources

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