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poison

Poison is a substance that can harm or even kill you. If you get a spider bite, hopefully it doesn't also have poison in it. (You knew you shouldn't have slept in that creepy old mansion.)

Poison can mean the harmful substance itself, or the act of giving it to someone. Poison is always a great device if you're going to write a murder mystery. We also use poison metaphorically for things that tend to ruin something. Your really obnoxious friend who always insists that he knows more than everyone else might poison the atmosphere at a dinner party. Jealousy can poison a good relationship.

DEFINITIONS OF: poison

1

n any substance that causes injury or illness or death of a living organism

Synonyms:
poisonous substance, toxicant
Types:
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atropine
a poisonous crystalline alkaloid extracted from the nightshade family; used as an antispasmodic and to dilate the eye pupil; also administered in large amounts as an antidote for organophosphate nerve agents or organophosphate insecticides
hyoscyamine
a poisonous crystalline alkaloid (isometric with atropine but more potent); used to treat excess motility of the gastrointestinal tract
toxin
a poisonous substance produced during the metabolism and growth of certain microorganisms and some higher plant and animal species
belladonna
an alkaloidal extract or tincture of the poisonous belladonna plant that is used medicinally
ricin, ricin toxin
a toxic protein extracted from castor beans; used as a chemical reagent; can be used as a bioweapon
animal toxin, zootoxin
a toxin resembling bacterial toxins in its antigenic properties that is found in the fluids of certain animals
bacterial toxin
any endotoxin or exotoxin formed in or elaborated by bacterial cells
cytotoxin
any substance that has a toxic effect on cells
endotoxin
a toxin that is confined inside the microorganisms and is released only when the microorganisms are broken down or die
exotoxin
a toxin that is secreted by microorganisms into the surrounding medium
hepatotoxin
any toxin that affects the liver
nephrotoxin
any toxin that affects the kidneys
neurolysin, neurotoxin
any toxin that affects neural tissues
phytotoxin, plant toxin
any substance produced by plants that is similar in its properties to extracellular bacterial toxin
Type of:
substance
a particular kind or species of matter with uniform properties

n anything that harms or destroys

“the poison of fascism”
Type of:
destructiveness
the quality of causing destruction

v kill with poison

“She poisoned her husband”
Type of:
kill
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

v add poison to

“Her husband poisoned her drink in order to kill her”
Synonyms:
envenom
Type of:
alter, change, modify
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

v administer poison to

“She poisoned her husband but he did not die”
Types:
intoxicate
have an intoxicating effect on, of a drug
Type of:
dose, drug
administer a drug to

v kill by its poison

“This mushrooms can poison”
Type of:
kill
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

v spoil as if by poison

“poison someone's mind”
“poison the atmosphere in the office”
Type of:
corrupt, debase, debauch, demoralise, demoralize, deprave, misdirect, pervert, profane, subvert, vitiate
corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
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