Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

lethal

 - 6 dictionary results

le⋅thal

  [lee-thuhl]
Use lethal in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or causing death; deadly; fatal: a lethal weapon; a lethal dose.
2. made to cause death: a lethal chamber; a lethal attack.
3. causing great harm or destruction: The disclosures were lethal to his candidacy.
Origin:
1575–85; < L lētālis, equiv. to lēt(um) death + -ālis -al 1 ; sp. (hence pron.) with -h- by assoc. with Gk lthē oblivion

Related forms:
le⋅thal⋅i⋅ty, le⋅thal⋅ness, noun
le⋅thal⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. See fatal.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To lethal
le·thal   (lē'thəl)   
adj.  

  1. Capable of causing death.

  2. Of, relating to, or causing death. See Synonyms at fatal.

  3. Extremely harmful; devastating: accusations lethal to the candidate's image.


[Late Latin lēthālis, alteration (probably influenced by Lēthē, Lethe) of Latin lētālis, from lētum, death.]
le·thal'i·ty (lē-thāl'ĭ-tē) n., le'thal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

lethal 
1583, from L.L. lethalis, from L. letalis "deadly, fatal," from letum "death," of uncertain origin. Form altered in L.L. by association with lethe hydor, "water of oblivion" in Hades in Gk. mythology, from Gk. lethe "forgetfulness."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1le·thal
Pronunciation: 'lE-th&l
Function: adjective
: of, relating to, or causing death lethal injury>;also : capable of causing death <lethal chemicals> lethal dose> —le·thal·i·ty /lE-'thal-&t-E/ noun plural -ties
—le·thal·ly adverb

Main Entry: 2lethal
Function: noun
1 : an abnormality of genetic origin causing the death of the organism possessing it usually before maturity
2 : LETHAL GENE
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

lethal le·thal (lē'thəl)
adj.

  1. Capable of causing death.

  2. Of, relating to, or causing death.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see lethal on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way