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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Pernici(o)us, -iouse, a. Also: pernit-. [e.m.E. pernicyous (1521), F. pernicieux (13–14th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), L. pernici sō-us.] Pernicious.

a. Of things: Baneful, harmful, dangerous. Also comb. b. Of persons: Harbouring evil designs, villainous, baleful, deadly.a. 1562-3 Winȝet II. 72/11.
Than the quhilk euil I wate nocht gif ony wthir may be estemit mair pernicious 1578–9 Reg. Privy C. III. 82.
Ony pernicious counsale divisit in the contrare c1580-90 Rules of Health (Moray Mun.).
There is na thing mair pernitius … nor to haif ȝour belly constipate c1590 Fowler II. 136/27.
To Caracalla … it was verye pernicious to imitat Seuerus actions 1594 Crim. Trials I. ii. 336.
The Jesuitis the pernitious springis and instrumentis of thir euills 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 191/7.
Perniciouse ydilteth 1600-1610 Melvill 371.
Will yie now, … drawin to your awin destructioun be a devillische and maist pernitius counsall, begin to hinder and dishart Chryst's servants? 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. (Latin) ii. 98 a.
Ane pernitious herbe called guildcomb. a1680 Blair Autob. 45.
A pernicious-like plotb. a 1568 Sempill Sat. P. xlvii. 1.
Pernitious peple perciall in despyte 1570 Reg. Episc. Morav. App. 422.
For inbringing the teynd silver furth of the pernicious parochinaris hands 1579 Bassandyne Bible, Epist. Dedic.
As gif it had bene the detestable name of a pernicious secte 1584 Melvill 174.
Pernitius flatterars 1590 Burel Pilgr. ii. xix.
This wickit and pernicius pak Thair dwelling hes in Limbo lak a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 339.
Sik as be pernicious ennemeis to all treuth