Agency Dictionary
Venomous
adjectivePronunciation: /ˈvɛn.ə.məs/
In Portuguese: Peçonhento
Science & HealthWhat does “Venomous” mean?
Capable of injecting venom through a bite or sting; highly toxic or characterized by malice.
Etymology
From Middle English venymous, from Old French venimos, formed from venim ('venom') plus the adjective-forming suffix -os. Venom itself derives from Old French venim, from a popular Latin form of venenum ('poison, drug'). The word is also analysable as venom plus -ous.
Usage note
Venomous and poisonous describe different mechanisms: a venomous animal actively injects its toxin through a bite or sting, while a poisonous organism is toxic when touched or consumed. A snake that bites is venomous; a frog whose skin is toxic is poisonous.
Synonyms
- poisonous
- toxic
Often confused with
- poisonous
- A venomous animal injects toxin actively; a poisonous organism is harmful when touched or eaten. The two words are often used interchangeably in everyday speech, but biology distinguishes them.
Word family
- venom
- envenom
- venomously
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
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