Main Entry: nox·ious

Pronunciation: \ˈnäk-shəs\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English noxius, from Latin, from noxa harm; akin to Latin nocēre to harm, nec-, nex violent death, Greek nekros dead body

Date: 15th century

1 a : physically harmful or destructive to living beings <noxious waste> b : constituting a harmful influence on mind or behavior; especially : morally corrupting <noxious doctrines>
2 : disagreeable, obnoxious

synonyms see pernicious

— nox·ious·ly adverb

— nox·ious·ness noun