venom
n. C / Un. a poisonous liquid that some animals, like snakes or spiders, use to hurt or kill others. It is usually put into the body through a bite or a sting.
n. a poisonous secretion produced by an animal and injected into a victim via a bite or sting. Often used figuratively to describe extreme malice or bitterness in speech or behavior.
The snake uses its venom to paralyze its prey.
The critic's review was filled with such venom that many readers wondered if there was a personal grudge behind the harsh words.
From Middle English venym, from Old French venim, from Vulgar Latin venīmen, from Early Medieval Latin venīnum, from Classical Latin venēnum (“drug; poison; a charm”), ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European wenh₁- (“to love”). Doublet of venin and venene.
Uncountable when referring to the substance generally; countable when referring to specific types produced by different species.
The snake is very venom.The snake is very venomous.Learners often use the noun 'venom' when they need the adjective 'venomous' to describe the animal.