Translate poison | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish Definition of poison
noun
a substance that is capable of causing the illness or death of a living organism when introduced or absorbed. 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. a person, idea, action, or situation that is considered to have a destructive or corrupting effect or influence:meanwhile he is spreading his poison over the Internet
verb
[with object] administer poison to (a person or animal), either deliberately or accidentally:he tried to poison his wife swans are being poisoned by lead from anglers' lines (as noun poisoning)symptoms of poisoning may include nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting adulterate or contaminate (food or drink) with poison. (usually as adjective
poisoned)
treat (a weapon or missile) with poison in order to augment its lethal effect. prove harmful or destructive to:his disgust had poisoned his attitude toward everyone Chemistry (of a substance) reduce the activity of (a catalyst).
