a. [ OF. vicious, F. vicieux, fr. L. vitiosus, fr. vitium vice. See Vice a fault. ] 1. Characterized by vice or defects; defective; faulty; imperfect. [ 1913 Webster ]

Though I perchance am vicious in my guess. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The title of these lords was vicious in its origin. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

A charge against Bentley of vicious reasoning. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Addicted to vice; corrupt in principles or conduct; depraved; wicked; as, vicious children; vicious examples; vicious conduct. [ 1913 Webster ]

Who . . . heard this heavy curse,
Servant of servants, on his vicious race. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Wanting purity; foul; bad; noxious; as, vicious air, water, etc. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Not correct or pure; corrupt; as, vicious language; vicious idioms. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Not well tamed or broken; given to bad tricks; unruly; refractory; as, a vicious horse. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Bitter; spiteful; malignant. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Corrupt; faulty; wicked; depraved. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Vi"cious*ly, adv. -- Vi"cious*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]