Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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 : WordNet®
viciously
adv : in a vicious manner; "he was viciously attacked" [syn: {brutally},
{savagely}]