Noi'sôme, a.
(noi'sum), a. [For noisesome, from O. Fr. noise, but with the sense of Lat. noxa, and the Eng. termination some. Cf. O. Fr. noisir, to hurt, from Lat. nocere, to hurt. See supra.]
Sense 1. Noxious to health; hurtful; mischievous; unwholesome; insalubrious; destructive; as, noisome winds; noisome effluvia; noisome pestilence.
Sense 2. Offensive to the smell or other senses; disgusting; fetid. “Foul breath is noisome.” Shak.
Synonyms—Noxious; unwholesome; insalubrious; mischievous; destructive.—NOISOME, NOXIOUS. These words have to a great extent been interchanged; but there is now a tendency to make a distinction between them. A thing which is noxious inflicts evil directly; as, a noxious plant, noxious practices, &c.; a thing which is noisome operates with a remoter influence; as, noisome vapors, a noisome pestilence, &c., and has the additional sense of disgusting. A garden may be free from noxious weeds or animals; but, if recently covered with manure, it may be filled with a noisome smell.
Kill noxious animals where ’tis sin to save; This only just prerogative we have. Dryden.
The only prison that enslaves the soul Is the dark habitation where she dwells As in a noisome dungeon. Bellingham.