del·e·te·ri·ous \|delə̇|tirēəs, -tēr- sometimes -ter-, esp Brit |dēl-\adjective Etymology: Greek dēlētērios, from dēleisthai to hurt; akin to Latin dolare to hew — more at condole : hurtful, destructive, noxious, pernicious < deleterious plants > < deleterious effects of excessive drinking > Synonyms:see pernicious