toxic

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   of or relating to or caused by a toxin or poison

   suffering from exposure to toxic substances

2. 2
   adj

   Having a chemical nature that is harmful to health or lethal if consumed or otherwise entering into the body in sufficient quantities.

   Tobacco smoke contains many toxic substances.

3. 3
   adj

   Appearing grossly unwell; characterised by serious, potentially life-threatening compromise in the respiratory, circulatory or other body systems.

   The child appeared toxic on arrival at the hospital.

4. 4
   adj

   Severely negative or harmful.

   a toxic environment that promoted bullying

5. 5
   adj

   Of a person, hateful or strongly antipathetic.

   It is not good to be around toxic people.

Etymology

Etymology tree Ancient Greek τόξον (tóxon) Proto-Indo-European *-kos Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) Ancient Greek -ῐκός (-ĭkós) Ancient Greek τοξῐκός (toxĭkós) Ancient Greek τοξικόν (toxikón)der. Latin toxicum Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Italic *-kos Latin -cus Latin toxicusbor. French toxiquebor. English toxic Borrowed from French toxique, from Late Latin toxicus (“poisoned”), from Latin toxicum (“poison”), from Ancient Greek τοξικόν (toxikón) [φάρμακον (phármakon)] ("poison for use on arrows"), from τοξικός (toxikós, “pertaining to arrows or archery”), from τόξον (tóxon, “bow”).