poison

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A substance that can harm or kill a living thing if it is swallowed, breathed in, or absorbed.

   The bottle was clearly marked as poison.

2. 2
   noun

   Something that does great harm to a person, relationship, or situation.

   Jealousy can be a poison in any marriage.

3. 3
   verb

   To harm or kill someone or something with poison.

   They poisoned the king's wine.

4. 4
   verb

   To spoil or damage something good, such as a relationship or attitude.

   Constant criticism slowly poisoned their friendship.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Poison entered English in the Middle English period from Old French poison, “magic potion,” which came from Latin potio, also the source of potion. In early use poison meant a drink or medicine, specifically a potion containing a harmful or dangerous ingredient; a poison need not now be a liquid.

From Middle English poysoun, poyson, pusoun, from Old French poison, poisun, from Latin pōtiōnem (“drink, a draught, a poisonous draught, a potion”), from pōtō (“to drink”). See also potion and potable (from the same root). Mostly displaced native Old English ātor. See more at atter.

Topics

External links

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• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary