Main Entry: ¹tox·ic

Pronunciation: \ˈtäk-sik\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Late Latin toxicus, from Latin toxicum poison, from Greek toxikon arrow poison, from neuter of toxikos of a bow, from toxon bow, arrow

Date: 1664

1 : containing or being poisonous material especially when capable of causing death or serious debilitation <toxic waste> <a toxic radioactive gas> <an insecticide highly toxic to birds>
2 : exhibiting symptoms of infection or toxicosis <the patient became toxic two days later>
3 : extremely harsh, malicious, or harmful <toxic sarcasm>

— tox·ic·i·ty \täk-ˈsi-sə-tē\ noun