INSIDIOUSLY

insidiously, perniciously

(adverb) in a harmfully insidious manner; “these drugs act insidiously”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adverb

insidiously (comparative more insidiously, superlative most insidiously)

in an insidious manner

Source: Wiktionary


INSIDIOUS

In*sid"i*ous, a. Etym: [L. insidiosus, fr. insidiae an ambush, fr. insidere to sit in; pref. in- + sedere to sit: cf. F. insidieux. See Sit.]

1. Lying in wait; watching an opportunity to insnare or entrap; deceitful; sly; treacherous; -- said of persons; as, the insidious foe. "The insidious witch." Cowper.

2. Intended to entrap; characterized by treachery and deceit; as, insidious arts. The insidious whisper of the bad angel. Hawthorne. Insidious disease (Med.), a disease existing, without marked symptoms, but ready to become active upon some slight occasion; a disease not appearing to be as bad as it really is.

Syn.

– Crafty; wily; artful; sly; designing; guileful; circumventive; treacherous; deceitful; deceptive.

– In*sid"i*ous*ly, adv.

– In*sid"i*ous*ness, n.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

16 May 2025

AMPHIPROSTYLAR

(adjective) marked by columniation having free columns in porticoes either at both ends or at both sides of a structure


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Coffee Trivia

Contrary to popular belief, coffee beans are not technically beans. They are referred to as such because of their resemblance to legumes. A coffee bean is a seed of the Coffea plant and the source for coffee. It is the pit inside the red or purple fruit, often referred to as a cherry. Just like ordinary cherries, the coffee fruit is also a so-called stone fruit.

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