adj ·Common ·High school level
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"Do venomous spiders have glands?"
"[A]s the teeth [of the salamander] are thus incapable of offending, the people of the countries vvhere they are found have recourſe to a venomous ſlaver, vvhich, they ſuppoſe, iſſues from the animal's mouth; they alſo tell us of a venom iſſuing from the clavvs: […]"
"The villain tricked him into drinking the venomous concoction."
"Arsenal pressed forward again after half-time but other than a venomous [Theo] Walcott shot that [Tim] Howard repelled with a fine one-handed save, the hosts offered little cutting edge."
"His attitude toward me is utterly venomous."
"[…] I vvill at large proue, that ther is nothinge in loue more venemous then méeting, vvhich filleth the minde with griefe, and the body vvith diſeaſes: […]"
"A tongue is the most venomous thing of all."
Of an animal (specifically a snake) or parts of its body: producing venom (“a toxin intended for defensive or offensive use”) which is usually injected into an enemy or prey by biting or stinging; hence, of a bite or sting: injecting venom.
Common synonyms include: poisonous, virulent, acerbic, acrid, acrimonious, acute.
A tongue is the most venomous thing of all.
Pronounced /ˈvɛnəməs/.
From Middle English venymous, from Old French venimos, composed of venim (“venom”) + -os (adjective-forming suffix). Synchronically analysable as venom + -ous. Compare Modern French venimeux. Piecewise doublet of venenous.