venom

[ven-uhm]

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.

verb (used with object)

1. Archaic.,  to make venomous; envenom.

venom

/ 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

venom

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of venom¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of venom¹

C13: from Old French venim, from Latin venēnum poison, love potion; related to venus sexual love

Synonym Study

See poison.

Example Sentences

Mr. Brooke-Hitching provides no way for the reader to fact-check his assertions, but he does offer a glossary to clear up the meanings of such terms as buoyant, pseudonym and venom.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The venom of an Amazonian scorpion species may contain a compound capable of helping treat breast cancer, a disease that remains one of the top causes of death among women.

Read more on Science Daily

Strategic silences about this venom will increase the moral and political damage to the American right.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

If you are, you know that any good start by Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is immediately followed by a flood of venom aimed at former major league outfielder Josh Reddick.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But I also can’t condone the venom she says she received online when Patrick responded to a TikTok of hers — “People were sending me, ‘Go kill yourself.’’’

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bitterness 
• hatred 
• rancor 
• toxin