Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Poison
Poi′son
,Noun.
1.
Any agent which, when introduced into the animal organism, is capable of producing a morbid, noxious, or deadly effect upon it;
as, morphine is a deadly
poison
; the poison
of pestilential diseases.2.
That which taints or destroys moral purity or health;
as, the
poison
of evil example; the poison
of sin.
Syn. – Venom; virus; bane; pest; malignity.
–
Poison
, Venom
. Poison usually denotes something received into the system by the mouth, breath, etc. Venom is something discharged from animals and received by means of a wound, as by the bite or sting of serpents, scorpions, etc. Hence, venom specifically implies some malignity of nature or purpose. Poi′son
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Poisoned
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Poisoning
.] 1.
To put poison upon or into; to infect with poison;
“The ingredients of our poisoned chalice.” as, to
poison
an arrow; to poison
food or drink. Shak.
2.
To injure or kill by poison; to administer poison to.
If you
poison
us, do we not die ? Shakespeare
3.
To taint; to corrupt; to vitiate;
as, vice
poisons
happiness; slander poisoned
his mind.Whispering tongues can
poison
truth. Coleridge.
Poi′son
,Verb.
I.
To act as, or convey, a poison.
Tooth that
poisons
if it bite. Shakespeare
Webster 1828 Edition
Poison
POISON
,Noun.
1.
A substance which, when taken into the stomach,mixed with the blood or applied to the skin or flesh, proves fatal or deleterious by an action not mechanical; venom. The more active and virulent poisons destroy life in a short time; others are slow in their operation, others produce inflammation without proving fatal. In the application of poison, much depends on the quantity.2.
Any thing infectious, malignant, or noxious to health; as the poison of pestilential diseases.3.
That which taints or destroys moral purity or health; as the poison of evil example; the poison of sin.