poison
poi|son /p'ɔɪzən/ (poisons poisoning poisoned)
1 [N-MASS]
Poison is a substance that harms or kills people or animals if they swallow it or absorb it.
Poison from the weaver fish causes paralysis, swelling, and nausea...
Mercury is a known poison.
2 [VERB] V n
If someone poisons another person, they kill the person or make them ill by giving them poison.
The rumours that she had poisoned him could never be proved.
● poisoning [N-UNCOUNT]
She was sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment for poisoning and attempted murder.
3 [VERB] be V-ed by n, V n
If you are poisoned by a substance, it makes you very ill and sometimes kills you.
Employees were taken to hospital yesterday after being poisoned by fumes...
Toxic waste could endanger lives and poison fish.
● poisoning [N-UNCOUNT] supp N
His illness was initially diagnosed as food poisoning.
4 [VERB] V n
If someone poisons a food, drink, or weapon, they add poison to it so that it can be used to kill someone.
If I was your wife I would poison your coffee.
● poisoned [ADJ]
He was terrified to eat, suspecting that the food was poisoned.
...an umbrella tipped with a poisoned dart.
5 [VERB] V n, V-ed
To poison water, air, or land means to damage it with harmful substances such as chemicals.
The land has been completely poisoned by chemicals.
...dying forests, poisoned rivers and lakes.
6 [VERB] be V-ed, V n
Something that poisons a good situation or relationship spoils it or destroys it.
The whole atmosphere has really been poisoned.
...ill-feeling that will poison further talk of a common foreign policy.poi|son gas
[N-UNCOUNT]
Poison gas is a gas that is poisonous and is usually used to kill people in war or to execute criminals.poi|son ivy
[N-UNCOUNT]
Poison ivy is a wild plant that grows in North America and that causes a rash or skin problems if you touch it.poi|son pill (poison pills)
[N-COUNT]
A poison pill refers to what some companies do to reduce their value in order to prevent themselves being taken over by another company. (BUSINESS)
1 [N-MASS]
Poison is a substance that harms or kills people or animals if they swallow it or absorb it.
Poison from the weaver fish causes paralysis, swelling, and nausea...
Mercury is a known poison.
2 [VERB] V n
If someone poisons another person, they kill the person or make them ill by giving them poison.
The rumours that she had poisoned him could never be proved.
● poisoning [N-UNCOUNT]
She was sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment for poisoning and attempted murder.
3 [VERB] be V-ed by n, V n
If you are poisoned by a substance, it makes you very ill and sometimes kills you.
Employees were taken to hospital yesterday after being poisoned by fumes...
Toxic waste could endanger lives and poison fish.
● poisoning [N-UNCOUNT] supp N
His illness was initially diagnosed as food poisoning.
4 [VERB] V n
If someone poisons a food, drink, or weapon, they add poison to it so that it can be used to kill someone.
If I was your wife I would poison your coffee.
● poisoned [ADJ]
He was terrified to eat, suspecting that the food was poisoned.
...an umbrella tipped with a poisoned dart.
5 [VERB] V n, V-ed
To poison water, air, or land means to damage it with harmful substances such as chemicals.
The land has been completely poisoned by chemicals.
...dying forests, poisoned rivers and lakes.
6 [VERB] be V-ed, V n
Something that poisons a good situation or relationship spoils it or destroys it.
The whole atmosphere has really been poisoned.
...ill-feeling that will poison further talk of a common foreign policy.poi|son gas
[N-UNCOUNT]
Poison gas is a gas that is poisonous and is usually used to kill people in war or to execute criminals.poi|son ivy
[N-UNCOUNT]
Poison ivy is a wild plant that grows in North America and that causes a rash or skin problems if you touch it.poi|son pill (poison pills)
[N-COUNT]
A poison pill refers to what some companies do to reduce their value in order to prevent themselves being taken over by another company. (BUSINESS)