poison

/'pɔizn/

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Explanation of the Word "Poison"

Definition: "Poison" can be both a noun and a verb.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "poison" as a noun when talking about harmful substances.
• Use "poison" as a verb when discussing actions that involve harming someone or something.

Examples:

1. Noun: "The scientist studied the effects of poison on animals."
2. Verb: "He tried to poison the rat by leaving out toxic food."

Advanced Usage:

• Figurative Meaning: "Poison" can also mean to corrupt or negatively affect something. For example, "Negative thoughts can poison your mind."
• Social Context: "The poison of fascism" refers to harmful ideologies that can destroy society.

Word Variants:

• Poisonous (adjective): Something that contains poison or can harm. Example: "Some mushrooms are poisonous."
• Poisoning (noun): The act of giving poison. Example: "The poisoning of the well caused many people to get sick."
• Poisoner (noun): A person who administers poison. Example: "The detective searched for the poisoner in the murder case."

Different Meanings:

• Literal Meaning: Refers to harmful substances (like poison from plants or animals).
• Figurative Meaning: Can refer to anything that has a negative effect, such as harmful ideas or bad influences.

Synonyms:

• Toxin: A poisonous substance produced by living cells.
• Venom: Poison injected by an animal (like a snake).
• Contaminant: Something that makes another substance harmful or impure.

Idioms:

• "A poisoned chalice": This phrase means a position or task that seems good but is actually dangerous or full of problems. Example: "Be careful; that job offer might be a poisoned chalice."

Phrasal Verbs:

• While "poison" is not commonly used in phrasal verbs, you might hear phrases like "poison the well," which means to create an unfair situation by damaging someone's reputation before they have a chance to succeed.

Summary:

In summary, "poison" can refer to harmful substances in both literal and figurative contexts. It can be used to describe actions that cause harm, whether to individuals, ideas, or environments.

Academic

Noun

1. anything that harms or destroys
   • the poison of fascism
2. any substance that causes injury or illness or death of a living organism

Verb

1. administer poison to
   • She poisoned her husband but he did not die
2. kill by its poison
   • This mushrooms can poison
3. add poison to
   • Her husband poisoned her drink in order to kill her
4. kill with poison
   • She poisoned her husband
5. spoil as if by poison
   • poison someone's mind
   • poison the atmosphere in the office

Synonyms

• toxicant
• poisonous substance
• envenom