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

1175–1225; variant of Middle English venim < Anglo-French; Old French venim, venin < Vulgar Latin *venīmen, for Latin venēnum magical herb or potion, poison < *wenes-nom, equivalent to *wenes- desire (see venerate, Venus) + *-nom noun suffix

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, adjective

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, noun

Word Origin for venom

C13: from Old French venim, from Latin venēnum poison, love potion; related to venus sexual love

Medical definitions for venom

venom
[ vĕnəm ]

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
[ vĕnəm ]

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.