Pernicious Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Psychology

• Studies show that pernicious habits can develop subtly over time, often unnoticed until they become serious issues.
• In psychological terms, pernicious influences like toxic relationships can lead to long-term emotional damage.
• The term has been applied to toxic behaviors in social interactions, highlighting how they negatively impact mental health.

Literature

• Many classic novels explore themes of pernicious influences, whether in characters or societal norms that appear benign but cause great harm.
• Shakespeare used the term to describe the vile effects of ambition and deception in plays like 'Macbeth'.
• Contemporary literature often addresses pernicious societal issues, shedding light on injustices disguised as normal behavior.

Health

• In medical contexts, pernicious anemia is a serious but subtly developing condition that affects the body's ability to absorb vitamin B12.
• Pernicious substances such as certain pesticides have been shown to have long-lasting effects on human health and the environment.
• Understanding pernicious health risks is vital in preventing diseases that might not show symptoms until it’s too late.

Pop Culture

• In many films, the protagonist faces a pernicious enemy who seems harmless but gradually undermines their success.
• Music often explores themes of pernicious love, where relationships that seem sweet turn surprisingly toxic.
• Popular shows discuss pernicious societal norms that shape behavior and beliefs in harmful ways, inviting viewers to question their reality.

Main points about word origin

• The word comes from the Latin 'perniciosus', which means 'destructive', derived from 'pernicies', meaning 'loss' or 'ruin'.
• It was first used in English in the 15th century, showing a long history of describing harmful things.
• Many words in English hint at harm, and 'pernicious' often emphasizes that the harm is subtle or deceptive.

The word 'pernicious' originated from the Latin word 'perniciosus', which means destructive. It has been used in English since the late 14th century. Over the centuries, 'pernicious' has maintained its meaning of causing harm or destruction, often in a subtle or gradual manner. The word has been commonly used in literature and academic texts to describe something that is extremely harmful or destructive.

Ranked #11,263, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

• ...
• 11260 contacting
• 11261 delusion
• 11262 commensurate
• 11263 pernicious
• 11264 obscurity
• 11265 laughs
• 11266 ideally
• ...