Poison

Pronunciation

• enPR: poi'zÉ™n, IPA: /ˈpɔɪz(É™)n/
• Rhymes: -ɔɪzÉ™n

Origin

From Old French poison, from Latin pōtio, pōtiōnis (""), from pōtō (""). See also potion and potable.

Full definition of poison

Noun

1. A substance that is harmful or lethal to a living organism.We used a poison to kill the weeds.
2. Something that harms a person or thing.Gossip is a malicious poison.
3. (informal) A drink; liquor.- What's your poison?- I'll have a glass of whisky.

Synonyms

• (substance that is harmful) atter, bane, contaminant, pollutant, toxin, venom

Derived terms

Verb

1. (transitive) To use poison to kill or paralyse somebodyThe assassin poisoned the king.
2. (transitive) To pollute; to cause some part of the environment to become poisonousThat factory is poisoning the river.
3. (transitive) To cause something to become much worseSuspicion will poison their relationship.He poisoned the mood in the room with his non-stop criticism.
4. (transitive) To cause someone to hate or to have unfair negative opinionsShe's poisoned him against all his old friends.

Synonyms

• (to pollute) contaminate, pollute, taint
• (to cause to become worse) corrupt, taint

Derived terms