poison

¹poi·son

noun \ˈpȯi-z^ən\

Definition of POISON

1

a : a substance that through its chemical action usually kills, injures, or impairs an organism b (1) : something destructive or harmful (2) : an object of aversion or abhorrence

2

: a substance that inhibits the activity of another substance or the course of a reaction or process <a catalyst poison>

Examples of POISON

1. a jar of rat poison
2. The killer gave her victims food laced with poison.
3. suck poison from a snake bite
4. The villain in the play dies by drinking a vial of poison.
5. Poverty is a poison to society.

Origin of POISON

Middle English, from Anglo-French poisun drink, potion, poison, from Latin potion-, potio drink — more at potion

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to POISON

Synonyms: bane, toxic, toxin, venom

Related Words: cancer, contagion, disease, virus; fungicide, germicide, herbicide, insecticide, microbicide, pesticide, toxicant

Near Antonyms: antidote, antivenin, antivenom, mithridate; cure; cure-all, elixir, panacea

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Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

Rhymes with POISON

foison