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