poison

Pronunciation: /ˈpɔɪz(ə)n/

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Definition of poison

noun

[mass noun]

a substance that is capable of causing the illness or death of a living organism when introduced or absorbed:he killed himself with poison [count noun]:strong chemical poisons
Chemistry a substance that reduces the activity of a catalyst.
Physics an additive or impurity in a nuclear reactor that slows a reaction by absorbing neutrons.
something that has a destructive or corrupting influence:the late 1930s, when Nazism was spreading its poison

verb

[with object]

administer poison to (a person or animal), either deliberately or accidentally:he tried to poison his wife (as noun poisoning)symptoms of poisoning may include nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting
adulterate or contaminate with poison:the Amazon basin is being poisoned by the mercury used by gold prospectors
(usually as adjective poisoned) treat (a weapon or missile) with poison in order to augment its lethal effect:poisoned arrows
prove harmful or destructive to:his disgust had poisoned his attitude toward everyone
Chemistry (of a substance) reduce the activity of (a catalyst).

Phrases

what's your poison?: informal used to ask someone what they would like to drink.

Derivatives

poisoner

Origin:

Middle English (denoting a harmful medicinal draught): from Old French poison 'magic potion', from Latin potio(n-) 'potion', related to potare 'to drink'

poison in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of poison in the US English dictionary

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Other

poison

noun

verb

Phrases

what's your poison?

Derivatives

poisoner

Origin:

poison in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

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