Vicious \Vi"cious\, a. [OF. vicious, F. vicieux, fr. L. vitiosus, fr. vitium vice. See Vice a fault.]

1. Characterized by vice or defects; defective; faulty; imperfect.

Though I perchance am vicious in my guess. --Shak.

The title of these lords was vicious in its origin. --Burke.

A charge against Bentley of vicious reasoning. --De Quincey.

2. Addicted to vice; corrupt in principles or conduct; depraved; wicked; as, vicious children; vicious examples; vicious conduct.

Who . . . heard this heavy curse, Servant of servants, on his vicious race. --Milton.

3. Wanting purity; foul; bad; noxious; as, vicious air, water, etc. --Dryden.

4. Not correct or pure; corrupt; as, vicious language; vicious idioms.

5. Not well tamed or broken; given to bad tricks; unruly; refractory; as, a vicious horse.

6. Bitter; spiteful; malignant. [Colloq.]

Syn: Corrupt; faulty; wicked; depraved. -- Vi"cious*ly, adv. -- Vi"cious*ness, n.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)