ˈperələs sometimes -eril- adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French perilleus, from Latin periculosus, from periculum danger + -osus -ous — more at fear
1. : full of, attended with, or involving peril : beset by perils : hazardous
perpetual struggle for the preservation of a perilous and precarious existence — T.L.Peacock
feel that perilous fascination which haunts the brow of precipices — Nathaniel Hawthorne
if crossing the parkway was perilous for them on weekends, it was risky at all times — E.J.Kahn
2. : capable of inflicting harm or injury : dreadful
foam of perilous seas — John Keats
a perilous stone cliff high above the river — American Guide Series: Pennsylvania
3. : subject to the possibility of destruction, damage, loss, or grave change at any moment
never lose a sense of the whimsical and perilous charm of daily life — L.P.Smith
old man who trots along under a perilous tower of painted straw chairs — Gertrude Diamant
Synonyms: see dangerous