nocuous

[ nok-yoo-uhs ]

adjective

1. likely to cause damage or injury; harmful; noxious.

nocuous

/ ˈnɒkjʊəs /

adjective

1. rare.
   harmful; noxious

Derived Forms

• ˈnocuousness, noun
• ˈnocuously, adverb

Other Words From

• nocu·ous·ly adverb
• nocu·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nocuous¹

First recorded in 1625–35; < Latin nocuus “harmful, injurious,” equivalent to noc(ēre) “to harm, hurt” + -uus adjective suffix; -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of nocuous¹

C17: from Latin nocuus, from nocēre to hurt

Example Sentences

It’s the first time my mother has ever asked me that question, and I know that she is lovingly unaware of its ramifications as a nocuous cliche, despite its power as a racist stereotype – that of an overly assertive, hands on hips, neck swiveling, emasculating black woman, and which immediately undermines the validity of any strong views she might express.

From The Guardian

It looks flat, decorative and in nocuous � until one notices that the gleaming "stroke" of red-sprayed met al, lying flat on the floor, could also be the reaping blade of a scythe.

From Time Magazine Archive

An in nocuous substitute to the amendment was approved by a voice vote.

From Time Magazine Archive

The time has passed for hysteria, and national introspection should determine which particular fibre of our national morality was so sick as to permit this alarming infestation by the nocuous creature.

From Time Magazine Archive

The air of the theatre, the ball-room, the race-course, seem so impregnated with the nocuous germs and microbes of evil, that it is perilous for the soul to expose itself to them, conscious as it is of predisposing bias and weakness.

From Project Gutenberg