: a toxic substance produced by some animals (such as snakes, scorpions, or bees) that is injected into prey or an enemy chiefly by biting or stinging and has an injurious or lethal effect
broadly: a substance that is poisonous
2
: a spiteful malicious feeling or state of mind : extreme ill will : malevolence
Noun She spoke of him with venom in her voice. He spewed venom against his rival.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The team discovered the bioactive compounds in the venom were tiny proteins known as peptides. Katie Hunt, CNN, 14 Sep. 2022 Its face is framed by large fins that look like embellished, feathery sleeves — which, along with the spines dotting the fish’s body, are packed with venom glands that deliver a sting causing swelling and extreme pain. Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 Instead, many experts recommend white vinegar, which is an effective deterrent to venom. Andrea Vacchiano, Fox News, 1 Sep. 2022 The researchers think the snakes were juveniles that had not developed strong venom, and that wild dolphins may be taught by other members of their group to avoid them. Tom Metcalfe, NBC News, 17 Aug. 2022 While deaths are rare, venom spreads through the bloodstream and can cause problems such as internal bleeding. Jim Carlton, WSJ, 16 Aug. 2022 Li said Africanized honey bee venom is not any different than that of other honey bees. Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 12 Aug. 2022 The items on his manifesto include exporting dog meat and harvesting snake venom to make antivenin. Michael M. Phillips, WSJ, 6 Aug. 2022 This eastern diamondback is the largest rattlesnake in the world, and has the most dangerous venom of any Alabama snake. Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 1 Aug. 2022
Verb
References to venom as medical treatments also go back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Samantha Bresnahan, CNN, 9 Nov. 2020 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English venim, borrowed from Anglo-French venim, venyn, going back to Vulgar Latin *venīmen, re-formation of Latin venēnum "magical herb, poison," going back to *wenes-no-m, from *wenes- (whence vener-, venus "sexual desire, qualities exciting desire, charm") + *-no-, instrumental suffix — more at venus
Note: In the sense "poison" Latin venēnum is perhaps an avoidance euphemism, a word meaning "magical charm" being transferred to something toxic, and hence dangerous, to avoid saying the actual word. Compare Old High German gift "gift, magical drink," Modern German Gift "poison."
Verb
Middle English venimen, borrowed from Anglo-French venimer, verbal derivative of venimvenom entry 1