antivenom

[ an-tee-ven-uhm, an-tahy- ]

noun

1. an antitoxin present in the blood of an animal following repeated injections of venom.
2. the antitoxic serum obtained from such blood.

Word History and Origins

Origin of antivenom¹

First recorded in 1890–95; earlier antiven(ene) ( anti- + venene ( def ) ), from Latin venēnum “potion, poison” ( venom ) + -in ²

Example Sentences

Kangali was rushed to a nearby health center, but it lacked antivenom to treat the snake’s bite.

From Seattle Times

The 32-year-old mother of five knows it could have been avoided if clinics in areas where snakebites are common are stocked with antivenom.

From Seattle Times

Maranga and his colleagues are part of a collaboration with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to create effective and safe snakebite treatments and ultimately produce antivenom locally.

From Seattle Times

Kenya imports antivenom from Mexico and India, but antivenom is usually region-specific, meaning a treatment in one region might not effectively treat snakebites in another.

From Seattle Times

The venom can help produce the next generation of antivenom.

From Seattle Times