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venom

 - 5 dictionary results

ven⋅om

  [ven-uhm]
Use venom in a Sentence
–noun
1. the poisonous fluid that some animals, as certain snakes and spiders, secrete and introduce into the bodies of their victims by biting, stinging, etc.
2. something resembling or suggesting poison in its effect; spite; malice: the venom of jealousy.
3. Archaic. poison in general.
–verb (used with object)
4. Archaic. to make venomous; envenom.
Origin:
1175–1225; var. of ME venim < AF; OF venim, venin < VL *venīmen, for L venēnum magical herb or potion, poison < *wenes-nom, equiv. to *wenes- desire (see venerate, Venus ) + *-nom n. suffix

Related forms:
ven⋅om⋅less, adjective

Synonyms:
1. See poison. 2. malignity, acrimony, bitterness, acerbity, gall, spleen, hate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To venom
ven·om   (věn'əm)   
n.  

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

  2. A poison.

  3. Malice; spite: "They dislike making their just criticism of a useful and earnest man an excuse for a general discharge of venom from small-minded opponents" (W.E.B. DuBois).


[Middle English venim, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *venīmen, from Latin venēnum, poison; see wen-1 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

venom 
c.1220, from Anglo-Fr. and O.Fr. venim, from V.L. *venimen, from L. venenum "poison, drug, potion," perhaps ultimately connected to venus "erotic love" (see Venus), in which case the original meaning might have been "love potion." The meaning "bitter, virulent feeling or language" is first recorded c.1300.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ven·om
Pronunciation: 'ven-&m
Function: noun
: poisonous matter normally secreted by some animals (as snakes, scorpions, or bees) andtransmitted to prey or an enemy chiefly by biting or stinging
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

venom ven·om (věn'əm)
n.

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

  2. A poison.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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