toxin
n.a poisonous substance produced by a living thing, like a plant or an animal. It can make people or other creatures sick.
n.a poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms. Often distinguished from synthetic poisons by its biological origin.
“The snake uses a powerful toxin to paralyze its prey.”
“Scientists are studying how the toxin from certain mushrooms affects the human nervous system.”
“While some bacteria are harmless, others release a potent toxin into the bloodstream that can lead to severe systemic inflammation if not treated immediately.”
Often used in the plural when referring to different types of poisonous substances.
“The present study concentrated on metalloproteinases, one important family of venom toxins.”
From Latin toxicum, equivalent to toxi- + -in.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.