Difference between revisions of "Definition: Poison" - New World Encyclopedia
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| + | ==Etymology== | ||
| + | From [[Middle English]] ''poisoun'', ''poyson'', ''poysone'', ''puyson'', ''puisun'', from [[Old French]] ''poison'', from [[Latin]] ''pōtio'', ''pōtiōnis'' (“drink, a draught, a poisonous draught, a potion”), from ''pōtō'' (“I drink”). | ||
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| + | ==Noun== | ||
| + | '''poison''' (countable and uncountable, plural '''poisons''') | ||
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# A [[substance]] that is [[harmful]] or [[lethal]] to a living organism. | # A [[substance]] that is [[harmful]] or [[lethal]] to a living organism. | ||
#: ''We used a '''poison''' to kill the weeds.'' | #: ''We used a '''poison''' to kill the weeds.'' | ||
# Something that [[harm]]s a person or thing. | # Something that [[harm]]s a person or thing. | ||
#: ''Gossip is a malicious '''poison'''.'' | #: ''Gossip is a malicious '''poison'''.'' | ||
| − | # {{Template:Definition:idiomatic}} A [[drink]]; [[liquor]]. | + | # {{Template:Definition:idiomatic}} A [[drink]]; [[liquor]]. (note: this sense is chiefly encountered in the phrases "name your poison" and "what's your poison ?") |
| − | + | #: ''What's your '''poison'''?'' ''I'll have a glass of [[whisky]]''. | |
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====Derived terms==== | ====Derived terms==== | ||
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* [[poison gas]] | * [[poison gas]] | ||
* [[poison hemlock]] | * [[poison hemlock]] | ||
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* [[poison pill]] | * [[poison pill]] | ||
* [[poison sumac]] | * [[poison sumac]] | ||
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* [[poisoner]] | * [[poisoner]] | ||
* [[poisoning]] | * [[poisoning]] | ||
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* [[rat poison]] | * [[rat poison]] | ||
* [[what's your poison]] | * [[what's your poison]] | ||
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| + | ==Verb== | ||
| + | '''poison''' (third-person singular simple present '''poisons''', present participle '''poisoning''', simple past and past participle '''poisoned''') | ||
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| + | # (transitive) To use poison to [[kill]] or [[paralyze]] (somebody). | ||
| + | #: ''The assassin '''poisoned''' the king''. | ||
| + | # (transitive) To [[pollute]]; to cause to become poisonous. | ||
| + | #: ''That [[factory]] is '''poisoning''' the [[river]]''. | ||
| + | # (transitive) To cause to become bad or unpleasant. | ||
| + | #: ''Suspicion will '''poison''' their relationship''. | ||
| + | #: ''He '''poisoned''' the mood in the room with his non-stop criticism''. | ||
| + | # (transitive) To cause (someone) to hate or to have unfair negative opinions. | ||
| + | #: ''She '''poisoned''' him against all his old friends''. | ||
{{Wictionary_credits|poison|5446700}} | {{Wictionary_credits|poison|5446700}} | ||
Latest revision as of 20:10, 22 August 2023
Etymology
From Middle English poisoun, poyson, poysone, puyson, puisun, from Old French poison, from Latin pōtio, pōtiōnis (“drink, a draught, a poisonous draught, a potion”), from pōtō (“I drink”).
Noun
poison (countable and uncountable, plural poisons)
- A substance that is harmful or lethal to a living organism.
- We used a poison to kill the weeds.
- Something that harms a person or thing.
- Gossip is a malicious poison.
- (idiomatic) A drink; liquor. (note: this sense is chiefly encountered in the phrases "name your poison" and "what's your poison ?")
- What's your poison? I'll have a glass of whisky.
Derived terms
- poison gas
- poison hemlock
- poison ivy
- poison oak
- poison pen
- poison pill
- poison sumac
- poisoner
- poisoning
- poisonous
- poisonwood
- rat poison
- what's your poison
Verb
poison (third-person singular simple present poisons, present participle poisoning, simple past and past participle poisoned)
- (transitive) To use poison to kill or paralyze (somebody).
- The assassin poisoned the king.
- (transitive) To pollute; to cause to become poisonous.
- (transitive) To cause to become bad or unpleasant.
- Suspicion will poison their relationship.
- He poisoned the mood in the room with his non-stop criticism.
- (transitive) To cause (someone) to hate or to have unfair negative opinions.
- She poisoned him against all his old friends.
Credits
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