English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English envenymen, from Old French envenimer (to poison, taint); equivalent to en- +‎ venom.

Pronunciation edit

Verb edit

envenom (third-person singular simple present envenoms, present participle envenoming, simple past and past participle envenomed)

  1. (transitive) To inject or put venom onto or into (someone or something).
    Synonyms: envenomate, venomize
  2. To acerbate, make bitter.

Usage notes edit

  • Not to be confused with poison
  • According to Samuel Johnson, the word is "never used of the person to whom poison is given, but of the draught, meat, or instrument by which it is conveyed." "envenom, v.a." A Dictionary of the English Language, by Samuel Johnson. 1755. Accessed 2022/02/27. https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/envenom_va

Conjugation edit

Derived terms edit

Related terms edit