VENOMOUS

poisonous, venomous, vicious

(adjective) marked by deep ill will; deliberately harmful; “poisonous hate”; “venomous criticism”; “vicious gossip”

deadly, venomous, virulent

(adjective) extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom; “venomous snakes”; “a virulent insect bite”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

venomous (comparative more venomous, superlative most venomous)

Full of venom.

Toxic; poisonous.

Noxious; evil.

Malignant; spiteful; hateful.

Producing venom (a toxin usually injected into an enemy or prey by biting or stinging) in glands or accumulating venom from food.

powerful

Usage notes

See poisonous.

Synonyms

• noxious

• poisonous

• toxic

Antonyms

• non-venomous

Source: Wiktionary

Ven"om*ous, a. Etym: [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.

2. (Zoöl.)

Definition: Having a poison gland or glands for the secretion of venom, as certain serpents and insects.

3. Noxious; mischievous; malignant; spiteful; as, a venomous progeny; a venomous writer. Venomous snake (Zoöl.), 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.

– Ven"om*ous*ly, adv.

– Ven"om*ous*ness, n.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition