Word: venomous Part of Speech: adj 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. Pronunciation: /ˈvɛnəməs/ 1. 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. Example: Do venomous spiders have glands? Example: For that beaſtes teeth, vvhich vvounded you tofore, / Are ſo exceeding venemous and keene, / Made all of ruſty yron, ranckling ſore, / That vvhen they bite, it booteth not to vveene / VVith ſalue, or antidote, or other mene / It euer to amend: […] 2. Of or pertaining to venom. Example: [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: […] Example: [T]he glands [of a snake] that ſerve to fabricate this venomous fluid are ſituated on each ſide of the head behind the eyes, and have their canals leading from thence to the bottom of the fangs in the upper javv, vvhere they empty into a kind of bladder, from vvhence the fangs on each ſide are ſeen to grovv. 3. Consisting of, or containing or full of, venom or some other poison; hence, harmful to health due to this. Labels: archaic Example: The villain tricked him into drinking the venomous concoction. Example: [Edward I of England was] by a certaine Moore vvounded vvith an envenomed ſvvord, and by all the remedies that Phiſitians could deviſe vvas not ſo much eaſed as afflicted: […] ſhe [Eleanor of Castile] day by day licked vvith her tongue, and ſucked out the venemous humor vvhich to her vvas a moſt ſvveet liquor. By the vigour and ſtrength vvhereof, or to ſay more truely, by vertue of a vvives louely fidelity ſhe ſo drevv unto her all the ſubſtance of the poiſon, that the vvounds being cloſed, and cicatrixed, hee became perfectly healed, & ſhe caught no harme at all. 4. Posing a threat; dangerous, threatening. Labels: figuratively Example: 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. Example: Palace's number nine passed into [Eberechi] Eze, who let the ball roll across to him to fool Leander Dendoncker before he unleashed a venomous strike past Rui Patricio from 16 yards. 5. Hateful; malignant; spiteful. Labels: figuratively Example: His attitude toward me is utterly venomous. Example: More venemous and much more virulent / Then any poyſoned tode, or any ſerpent. 6. Of a weapon such as an arrow or dart: dosed with venom or poison; envenomed, poisoned. Labels: obsolete 7. Harmful, hurtful, injurious; specifically, morally or spiritually harmful; evil, noxious, pernicious. Labels: figuratively, obsolete Example: […] 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: […] Example: Thy teares are ſalter than a yonger mans, / And venomous to thine eyes.