n. 1. A poisonous secretion of an animal, such as a snake, spider, or scorpion, usually transmitted to prey or to attackers by a bite or sting. 2. Malice; spite: "They dislike making their just criticism of a useful and earnest man an excuse for a general discharge of venom from small-minded opponents" (W.E.B. Du Bois). [Middle English venim, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *venīmen, from Latin venēnum, poison; see wen-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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