ˈnäkshəs adjective
Etymology: Latin noxius, from noxa damage, offense, harm; akin to Latin nocēre to harm, nec-, nex violent death, Greek nekros dead body, Sanskrit naśyati he disappears, perishes
1. : harmful or destructive to man or to other organisms
dust, fumes, effluvia, sometimes noxious for human organisms — Lewis Mumford
the noxious wastes in the stream killed the fish
noxious weeds that prevent the growth of food plants
2. : having or regarded as capable of having a harmful influence on thought or behavior : injurious , pernicious
a noxious book
a noxious doctrine
a noxious system of education
3. : distasteful , obnoxious
this noxious political scandal — H.L.Ickes
the Transcendentalists and their noxious crew — Van Wyck Brooks
Synonyms: see pernicious