vi ‧ cious /ˈvɪʃəs/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: vicieux , from Latin vitiosus 'full of faults' , from vitium ; ⇨ ↑ vice ]
1 . violent and cruel in a way that hurts someone physically:
a vicious murder
a vicious killer
Keep away from that dog, he can be vicious.
2 . very unkind in a way that is intended to hurt someone’s feelings or make their character seem bad SYN malicious :
Sarah can be quite vicious at times.
a vicious personal attack on the Duchess
She was shocked by the vicious tone in his voice.
3 . unpleasantly strong or severe SYN violent :
a vicious gust of wind
a vicious headache
—viciously adverb :
He twisted her arm viciously.
—viciousness noun [uncountable]