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: bitterness, hate, spleen, gall, acerbity, 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

/ 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.

Derived Forms

• ˈvenomless, adjective
• ˈvenomously, adverb
• ˈvenomous, adjective
• ˈvenomousness, noun

Other Words From

• venom·less adjective
• outvenom verb (used with object)
• un·venomed adjective

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

That started with lizard venom experiments in the 1980s.

From Slate

This postelection Veterans Day weekend saw two new films crack the top three box office slots, with “Venom: The Last Dance,” bringing in $16.2 million in its third weekend.

From Los Angeles Times

The third installment of the Marvel series from Sony, starring Tom Hardy as journalist Eddie Brock and his “symbiote” sidekick, Venom, has to date earned $114.8 million at domestic theaters, according to Comscore estimates.

From Los Angeles Times

We partnered with Sony on this Sleep Story to provide Marvel and Hardy fans a way to wind down after seeing “Venom: The Last Dance.”

From Salon

The most recent one I can think of along those lines is Tom Hardy as Venom, which may on the surface may seem counterintuitive to sleep.

From Salon

Related Words

• bitterness
• hatred
• rancor
• toxin