† perˈnicity Obs.
[ad. L. pernīcitās, f. pernix: see pernicious a.2]
Swiftness, celerity.
| 1592 Nashe P. Penilesse (ed. 2) 37 By the incomparable pernicitie of those ayrie bodies we [spirits]..out strip the swiftnes of men, beasts and birds. 1657 Thornley tr. Longus' Daphnis & Chloe 69 The ship, with an irrevocable pernicity and swiftnesse was carried away. 1704 Norris Ideal World ii. vii. 356 Whose resistence being increased by the swiftness and pernicity of their motion. |