Venomous
- Venomous Ven"om*ous, a. [OE. venemous, venimous, F. venimeux,
L. venenosus, fr. venenum poison. See {Venom}, and cf.
{Venenose}.]
1. Full of venom; noxious to animal life; poisonous; as, the
bite of a serpent may be venomous.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having a poison gland or glands for the secretion of venom, as certain serpents and insects. [1913 Webster]
3. Noxious; mischievous; malignant; spiteful; as, a venomous progeny; a venomous writer. [1913 Webster]
{Venomous snake} (Zo["o]l.), any serpent which has poison glands and fangs, whether dangerous to man or not. These serpents constitute two tribes, the viperine serpents, or Solenoglypha, and the cobralike serpents, or Proteroglypha. The former have perforated, erectile fangs situated in the front part of the upper jaw, and are without ordinary teeth behind the fangs; the latter have permanently erect and grooved fangs, with ordinary maxillary teeth behind them. [1913 Webster] -- {Ven"om*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Ven"om*ous*ness}, n. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
Look at other dictionaries:
venomous — index bitter (penetrating), bitter (reproachful), caustic, dangerous, deadly, deleterious, fatal … Law dictionary
venomous — late 13c., from Anglo Fr. venimeus, O.Fr. venimeux, from venim (see VENOM (Cf. venom)). Earliest recorded use is figurative; literal sense by early 14c. Related: Venomously; venomousness … Etymology dictionary
venomous — *poisonous, virulent, toxic, mephitic, pestilent, pestilential, miasmic, miasmatic, miasmal Analogous words: malignant, malign, malevolent (see MALICIOUS): baleful, malefic, maleficent (see SINISTER): *pernicious, baneful, noxious, deleterious,… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
venomous — [adj] poisonous; hateful accidentally on purpose*, antagonistic, baleful, baneful, catty*, cussed*, deadly, destructive, dirty, evil, hostile, lethal, malefic, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, mephitic, noxious, ornery*, rancorous … New thesaurus
venomous — ► ADJECTIVE 1) secreting or capable of injecting venom. 2) very malicious, bitter, or aggressive. DERIVATIVES venomously adverb … English terms dictionary
venomous — [ven′əməs] adj. [ME venimous < OFr venimeux] 1. containing or full of venom; poisonous 2. malignant; spiteful; malicious 3. Zool. having a poison gland or glands and able to inflict a poisonous wound by biting or stinging venomously adv.… … English World dictionary
venomous — [[t]ve̱nəməs[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED: usu ADJ n If you describe a person or their behaviour as venomous, you mean that they show great bitterness and anger towards someone. ...his terrifying and venomous Aunt Bridget... He heaped abuse on Waite and… … English dictionary
venomous — venomously, adv. venomousness, venomness, n. /ven euh meuhs/, adj. 1. (of an animal) having a gland or glands for secreting venom; able to inflict a poisoned bite, sting, or wound: a venomous snake. 2. full of or containing venom; poisonous: a… … Universalium
venomous — adjective Date: 14th century 1. full of venom: as a. poisonous, envenomed b. noxious, pernicious < expose a venomous dope ring Don Porter > c. spiteful, malevolent < venomous criticism > 2. having a venom producing gland and able … New Collegiate Dictionary
venomous — adjective /ˈvɛnəməs/ a) Full of venom. The villain tricked him into drinking the venomous concoction. b) Toxic; poisonous. His attitude toward me is utterly venomous. Syn: noxious, poisonous … Wiktionary
