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

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

Related forms

venomless, adjective

outvenom, verb (used with object)

unvenomed, adjective

Synonyms

1. See poison. 2. malignity, acrimony, bitterness, acerbity, gall, spleen, hate.

Examples from the web for venom

But much of the venom in the press, at any rate, is directed at big multinationals.
She teased him for looking handsome with his shirt off, and saved her venom for his critics.
Honeybee venom kills cancer cells and the technology will be on the market by next year.
The world's tiniest explosives detector, powered by bee venom proteins.
Affairs of the heart can produce lots of venom as they die.
In cases where venom is spewed, the exaggerated nature raises the question where the venom comes from.
He was also charged with illegally harvesting snake venom.
But it has the longest fangs and the largest venom sacs of any snake, and its venom is among the deadliest, experts say.
And unfortunately their preaching these days are full of venom and negativity to fan agitation.
And really the venom expressed here against the boomers shouldn't surprise anyone either.

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

venomless, adjective
venomous, adjective
venomously, adverb
venomousness, noun

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for venom

early 13c., from Anglo-French and Old French venim, from Vulgar Latin *venimen (cf. Italian veleno, Spanish veneno), from Latin venenum "poison," earlier (pre-classical) "drug, potion," probably originally "love potion," from PIE *wenes-no-, and thus connected to venus "erotic love" (see Venus), Sanskrit van- "wish, desire, gain." The meaning "bitter, virulent feeling or language" is first recorded c.1300.

venom in Medicine

venom ven·om (věn'əm)
n.

A poisonous secretion of an animal, such as a snake, spider, or scorpion, usually transmitted by a bite or sting.
A poison.

venom in Science

venom

(věn'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.