poison

/ˈpɔɪzn/

/ˈpɔɪzən/

Other forms: poisoned; poisoning; poisons

Poison is a substance that can harm or even kill you. Arsenic and cyanide are both types of poison—so stay away from them! Mean people can also be poison, so stay away from them too.

Poison refers to the harmful substance itself, or the act of giving it to someone. Poison often shows up in murder mysteries because it’s a sneaky way to get rid of someone. We also use poison metaphorically for things that tend to ruin something. A 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. noun

   any substance that causes injury or illness or death of a living organism
   synonyms: poisonous substance, toxicant

   types:

   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
2. noun

   anything that harms or destroys
   “the poison of fascism”

   type of:

   destructiveness

   the quality of causing destruction
3. verb

   kill with poison
   “She poisoned her husband”

   type of:

   kill

   cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
4. verb

   add poison to
   synonyms: envenom

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
5. verb

   administer poison to
   types:

   intoxicate

   have an intoxicating effect on, of a drug

   type of:

   dose, drug

   administer a drug to
6. verb

   kill by its poison
   type of:

   kill

   cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
7. verb

   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