venomous

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English venymous, venemous, from Old French venimos, from venin. Cf. Latin venēnōsus. Equivalent to venom +‎ -ous.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈvɛnəməs/
  • Audio (UK)(file)

Adjective

venomous (comparative more venomous, superlative most venomous)

  1. Full of venom.
    The villain tricked him into drinking the venomous concoction.
  2. Toxic; poisonous.
    • c. 1515–1516, published 1568, John Skelton, Againſt venemous tongues enpoyſoned with ſclaunder and falſe detractions &c.:
      More venemous and much more virulent
      Then any poyſoned tode, or any ſerpent.
  3. Noxious; evil.
  4. Malignant; spiteful; hateful.
    His attitude toward me is utterly venomous.
  5. Producing venom (a toxin usually injected into an enemy or prey by biting or stinging) in glands or accumulating venom from food.
    Do venomous spiders have glands?
  6. Powerful
    • 2011 December 10, David Ornstein, “Arsenal 1 - 0 Everton”, in BBC Sport‎:
      Arsenal pressed forward again after half-time but other than a venomous Walcott shot that Howard repelled with a fine one-handed save, the hosts offered little cutting edge.

Usage notes

See poisonous#Usage notes.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Translations
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Translations to be checked

References
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