venomous

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   marked by deep ill will

   Your venomous actions are ignoble.

2. 2
   adj

   extremely poisonous or injurious

   The snake is venomous.

3. 3
   adj

   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.

   Do venomous spiders have glands?

4. 4
   adj

   Of or pertaining to venom.

   [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: […]

5. 5
   adj

   Consisting of, or containing or full of, venom or some other poison; hence, harmful to health due to this.

   The villain tricked him into drinking the venomous concoction.

6. 6
   adj

   Posing a threat; dangerous, threatening.

   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.

7. 7
   adj

   Hateful; malignant; spiteful.

   His attitude toward me is utterly venomous.

8. 8
   adj

   Harmful, hurtful, injurious; specifically, morally or spiritually harmful; evil, noxious, pernicious.

   […] 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: […]

Etymology

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.