poison
poison
(pɔɪzən )Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense poisons , present participle poisoning , past tense, past participle poisoned
1. variable noun
2. verb
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. [VERB noun]
poisoning uncountable noun
She was sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment for poisoning and attempted murder.
3. verb
Employees were taken to hospital yesterday after being poisoned by fumes. [be VERB-ed + by]
Toxic waste could endanger lives and poison fish. [VERB noun]
poisoning uncountable noun
...acute alcohol poisoning.
His illness was initially diagnosed as food poisoning.
4. verb
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. [VERB noun]
poisoned adjective
He was terrified to eat, suspecting that the food was poisoned.
...an umbrella tipped with a poisoned dart.
5. verb
...the textile and fibre industries that taint the air, poison the water and use vast amounts of natural resources. [VERB noun]
The land has been completely poisoned by chemicals. [VERB noun]
...dying forests, poisoned rivers and lakes. [VERB-ed]
6. verb
The whole atmosphere has really been poisoned. [be VERB-ed]
...ill-feeling that will poison further talk of a common foreign policy. [VERB noun]
