poison
n. C / Un. a substance that can make you very sick or kill you if you eat, drink, or touch it. It is also used to describe anything that is very harmful to your mind or a situation.
n. a substance that through its chemical action usually kills, injures, or impairs an organism. Often used metaphorically to describe a corrupting or destructive influence on a person's character or a social environment.
The label on the bottle warned that it contained poison.
Gardeners often use a specific poison to stop pests from eating their vegetables during the summer months.
The investigator suspected that the victim had ingested a slow-acting poison, as the symptoms only manifested several days after the initial exposure to the toxic substance.
From Middle English poysoun, poyson, pusoun, from Old French poison, poisun, from Latin pōtiōnem (“drink, a draught, a poisonous draught, a potion”), from pōtō (“I drink”). See also potion and potable (from the same root). Mostly displaced native Old English ātor. See more at atter.
Countable when referring to specific types of toxic substances; uncountable when referring to the general concept of toxicity.
- 01
name one's poison
To indicate what type of alcoholic beverage one wishes to be served.
- 02
poison
An alcoholic drink. (Mainly in the phrases "name your poison" and "what's your poison?")
- 03
poison pen
A manner, means, or tone of expression had by a written work, characterized by spitefulness, defamation, and/or intimidation directed toward a person, organization, or point of view.