venomous Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom
    deadly; virulent.
    • venomous snakes
    • a virulent insect bite
  2. adjective satellite marked by deep ill will; deliberately harmful
    poisonous; vicious.
    • poisonous hate
    • venomous criticism
    • vicious gossip

WordNet

Ven"om*ous adjective
Etymology
OE. venemous, venimous, F. venimeux, L. venenosus, fr. venenum poison. See Venom, and cf. Venenose.
Definitions
  1. Full of venom; noxious to animal life; poisonous; as, the bite of a serpent may be venomous.
  2. (Zoöl.) 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. -- Ven"om*ous*ly, adv. -- Ven"om*ous*ness, n.

Webster 1913