See also: tòxic

English edit

Etymology edit

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).

Pronunciation edit

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈtɒk.sɪk/
    • (file)
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈtɑk.sɪk/
  • Rhymes: -ɒksɪk

Adjective edit

toxic (comparative more toxic, superlative most toxic)

  1. (toxicology, pharmacology) Having a chemical nature that is harmful to health or lethal if consumed or otherwise entering into the body in sufficient quantities.
    Synonyms: poisonous, venomous
    Tobacco smoke contains many toxic substances.
    • 2019 December 8, Hannah Beech, Ryn Jirenuwat, “The Price of Recycling Old Laptops: Toxic Fumes in Thailand’s Lungs”, in New York Times[1]:
      If some types of electronic waste aren’t incinerated at a high enough temperature, dioxins, which can cause cancer and developmental problems, infiltrate the food supply. Without proper safeguarding, toxic heavy metals seep into the soil and groundwater.
  2. (medicine) 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.
  3. (figurative) Severely negative or harmful.
    a toxic environment that promoted bullying
  4. (figurative, of a person) Hateful or strongly antipathetic.
    It is not good to be around toxic people.
    • 2020 April 23, Cal Newport, “'Expert Twitter' Only Goes So Far. Bring Back Blogs”, in Wired[2]:
      Though Twitter is still overrun with toxic anger and fear-based nonsense (now more than ever), it is also, in one crucial way, beginning to play an important role in our response to the pandemic.

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Translations edit

Further reading edit

Interlingua edit

Adjective edit

toxic (comparative plus toxic, superlative le plus toxic)

  1. toxic (chemically noxious to health)

Related terms edit

Romanian edit

Etymology edit

Borrowed from French toxique, Latin toxicus, from Ancient Greek τοξικόν (toxikón). See also toapsec.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈtok.sik/, /tokˈsik/

Adjective edit

toxic m or n (feminine singular toxică, masculine plural toxici, feminine and neuter plural toxice)

  1. toxic
    Synonyms: otrăvicios, otrăvitor

Declension edit

Related terms edit