venom
[ ven-uh m ]
/ ˈvɛn əm /
noun
the poisonous fluid that some animals, as certain snakes and spiders, secrete and introduce into the bodies of their victims by biting, stinging, etc.
something resembling or suggesting poison in its effect; spite; malice: the venom of jealousy.
Archaic.
poison in general.
verb (used with object)
Archaic.
to make venomous; envenom.
Origin of venom
SYNONYMS FOR venom
1 See
poison.
2 malignity, acrimony, bitterness, acerbity, gall, spleen, hate.
OTHER WORDS FROM venom
ven·om·less, adjective out·ven·om, verb (used with object) un·ven·omed, adjectiveWords nearby venom
Example sentences from the Web for venom
British Dictionary definitions for venom
venom
/ (ˈvɛnəm) /
noun
a poisonous fluid secreted by such animals as certain snakes and scorpions and usually transmitted by a bite or sting
malice; spite
Derived forms of venom
venomless, adjective venomous, adjective venomously, adverb venomousness, nounWord Origin for venom
C13: from Old French
venim, from Latin
venēnum poison, love potion; related to
venus sexual love
Medical definitions for venom
venom
[ vĕn′əm ]
n.
A poisonous secretion of an animal, such as a snake, spider, or scorpion, usually transmitted by a bite or sting.
A poison.
Scientific definitions for venom
venom
[ vĕn′əm ]
Any of various poisonous substances secreted by certain snakes, spiders, scorpions, and insects and transmitted to a victim by a bite or sting. Venoms are highly concentrated fluids that typically consist of dozens or hundreds of powerful enzymes, peptides, and smaller organic compounds. These compounds target and disable specific chemicals in the victim, damaging cellular and organ system function. Snake venoms, for example, contain substances that block platelet aggregation (causing bleeding) and that prevent the release of acetylcholine by nerve endings (causing muscle paralysis). Many substances contained in venoms are under investigation for use as pharmaceuticals.