anthropotoxin
|an-thro-po-tox-in|
🇺🇸
/ˌænθrəˈtɑksɪn/
🇬🇧
/ˌænθrəˈtɒksɪn/
human-related poison / human-made toxin
Etymology
'anthropotoxin' originates from Greek elements, specifically 'anthropos' and 'toxikon', where 'anthropos' meant 'human' and 'toxikon' (from 'toxikon pharmakon') meant 'poison' or 'poison for arrows'.
'anthropotoxin' is a modern scientific coinage formed in English from classical Greek roots ('anthropos' + 'toxikon') rather than evolving through Old or Middle English; it was created to describe toxins related to human activity.
Initially formed to mean 'poison related to humans' in a literal etymological sense; over time its use has narrowed in scientific and environmental contexts to refer mainly to human-derived or anthropogenic toxic substances.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a toxin or poisonous substance that originates from human activity or is produced by humans (including synthetic chemicals, industrial pollutants, or other human-derived toxic agents).
Researchers detected anthropotoxins such as industrial solvents and synthetic pesticides in the river sediments.
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Noun 2
(Less common) A toxin that specifically affects humans (i.e., a poison harmful to humans), used in some contexts to emphasize human-targeted toxicity.
In toxicology reports the term was occasionally used to denote substances particularly harmful to humans—though this usage is rare.
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Last updated: 2025/08/26 22:20