venom

American  

[ven-uhm] / ˈvɛn əm /

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.

   Synonyms:

   hate, spleen, gall, acerbity, bitterness, acrimony, malignity

3. Archaic. poison in general.

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verb (used with object)

1. Archaic. to make venomous; envenom.

venom British  

/ ˈvɛnəm /

noun

1. a poisonous fluid secreted by such animals as certain snakes and scorpions and usually transmitted by a bite or sting

2. malice; spite

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venom Scientific  

/ vĕn′əm /

1. 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.

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Related Words

See poison.

Other Word Forms

• outvenom verb (used with object)
• unvenomed adjective
• venomless adjective
• venomous adjective
• venomously adverb
• venomousness noun

Etymology

Origin of venom

First recorded in 1175–1225; variant of Middle English venim, from Anglo-French; Old French venim, venin, from (unattested) Vulgar Latin venīmen, for Latin venēnum “magical herb or potion, poison,” from (unattested) wenes-nom, equivalent to (unattested) wenes- desire ( venerate, Venus ) + (unattested) -nom noun suffix

Example Sentences

Compounds from spider and snake venoms, along with substances produced by plants and fungi, are being studied for their potential to treat pain, cancer, and other conditions.

From Science Daily

Those debates will lose their venom if England can end their winless run here.

From BBC

A frog with an unexpectedly strong resistance to venom has been identified, and it routinely eats hornets despite the insects' dangerous stingers.

From Science Daily

Fury and venom at Celtic's calamitous attempt at a Champions League bid and a transfer window has spewed and sparked like hot lava from sections of the support.

From BBC

These included flexible jaws and, in some lizards and snakes, venom.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• bitterness
• hatred
• rancor
• toxin