— deleteriously , adv. — deleteriousness , n.
/del'i tear"ee euhs/ , adj.
1. injurious to health: deleterious gases.
2. harmful; injurious: deleterious influences.
[ 1635-45; deletérios destructive, adj. deriv. of deletér destroyer, equiv. to dele- var. s. of deleîsthai to hurt, injure + -ter agent suffix + -ios adj. suffix; see -IOUS ]
Syn. 2. pernicious, hurtful, destructive; noxious.
Ant. 2. beneficial.