Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

venomous

[ven-uh-muh s]
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
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 of venomous

1250–1300; Middle English venim(o)us < Anglo-French venimus (Old French venimeux). See venom, -ous
Related formsven·om·ous·ly, adverbven·om·ous·ness, ven·om·ness, nounnon·ven·om·ous, adjectivenon·ven·om·ous·ly, adverbnon·ven·om·ous·ness, nounun·ven·om·ous, adjectiveun·ven·om·ous·ly, adverbun·ven·om·ous·ness, noun

Synonyms

See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
3. malicious, hostile, rancorous, ill-disposed.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for nonvenomous

nonvenomous

adjective
  1. (of a snake, spider, etc) not venomous
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for nonvenomous

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper