envenoming
|en-ven-om-ing|
/ɪnˈvɛnəmɪŋ/
(envenom)
to poison or embitter
Etymology
'envenom' originates from Old French (via Middle English), ultimately from Latin 'venenum' meaning 'poison'; formed with the prefix 'en-' (to cause or put into) + 'venom' (from Latin 'venenum').
'envenom' changed from Old French forms such as 'envenimer' (or similar medieval variants) into Middle English 'envenemen' and eventually stabilized as modern English 'envenom', from which the gerund 'envenoming' is derived.
Initially it meant 'to make poisonous by adding venom', and over time it retained that literal sense while also gaining figurative senses like 'to embitter or corrupt'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act or process of injecting venom; poisoning with venom (also used metaphorically for making something morally or socially poisonous).
The envenoming of the forest's wildlife after the spill was quickly documented.
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Verb 1
to inject with venom or poison; to make poisonous.
They were charged with envenoming the livestock by contaminating the water supply.
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Last updated: 2025/10/25 18:33