lead poisoning

[led]

noun

1. Pathology.

   1. a toxic condition produced by ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption of lead or lead compounds, resulting in various dose-related symptoms including anemia, nausea, muscle weakness, confusion, blindness, and coma.

   2. Also called plumbism, saturnism. this condition occurring in adults whose work involves contact with lead products.

2. Slang.,  death or injury inflicted by a bullet or shot.

lead poisoning

/ lɛd /

noun

1. Also called: plumbism.  saturnism. acute or chronic poisoning by lead or its salts, characterized by abdominal pain, vomiting, convulsions, and coma

2. slang,  death or injury resulting from being shot with bullets

Word History and Origins

Origin of lead poisoning¹

First recorded in 1875–80