venomous

[ven-uh-muh s] /ˈvɛn ə məs/
adjective
1.
(of an animal) having a gland or glands for secreting venom; able to inflict a poisoned bite, sting, or wound:
a venomous snake.
2.
full of or containing venom; poisonous:
a venomous wound; a venomous potion.
3.
spiteful; malignant:
a venomous attack; a venomous tongue.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English venim(o)us < Anglo-French venimus (Old French venimeux). See venom, -ous
Related forms
venomously, adverb
venomousness, venomness, noun
nonvenomous, adjective
nonvenomously, adverb
nonvenomousness, noun
unvenomous, adjective
unvenomously, adverb
unvenomousness, noun
Synonyms
3. malicious, hostile, rancorous, ill-disposed.
Examples from the web for venomous
  • Many nocturnal snakes in this area are venomous, or poisonous.
  • Below you will find descriptions of organisms that are either poisonous or venomous.
  • The truly sad thing would be if this venomous nonsense were coming from a tenured professor.
  • Voracious, venomous lionfish are the first exotic species to invade coral reefs.
  • When they stalk spitting spiders, portia spiders approach from behind to avoid getting caught up in the sticky, venomous spit.
  • But even when it comes to venomous snakes, not all bites are deadly.
  • We kept a vigilant eye out for alligators and for venomous snakes.
  • Putting your mouth on a venomous wound is the last thing you should do.
  • Platypuses are one of the few venomous mammals in the world.
  • They are also the sole living member of their genus and one of world's only venomous mammals.
Word Origin and History for venomous
adj.

late 13c., from Anglo-French venimeus, Old French venimeux, from venim (see venom). Earliest recorded use is figurative; literal sense by early 14c. Related: Venomously; venomousness.