toxic

¹tox·ic

adjective \ˈtäk-sik\

Definition of TOXIC

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>

4

: relating to or being an asset that has lost so much value that it cannot be sold on the market

— tox·ic·i·ty \täk-ˈsi-sə-tē\ noun

Examples of TOXIC

1. The fumes from that chemical are highly toxic.
2. Tests will be run to determine if the landfill is toxic.

Origin of TOXIC

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

First Known Use: 1664

Related to TOXIC

Synonyms

envenomed, poison, poisoned, poisonous, venomous

Antonyms

nonpoisonous, nontoxic, nonvenomous

Related Words

contagious, infectious, infective, pathogenic, pestilent, pestilential; baneful, deleterious, harmful, hurtful, injurious, malignant, nocuous, noxious, virulent; unhealthful, unhealthy, unwholesome; calamitous, deadly, fatal, fell, lethal, murderous

Near Antonyms

beneficial, curative, healthful, healthy, helpful, palliative, remedial, salubrious, salutary, wholesome; benign, harmless, innocuous, inoffensive; nonfatal, nonlethal

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

²toxic

noun

Definition of TOXIC

: a toxic substance —usually used in plural

Examples of TOXIC

1. <tested for toxics in the water supply>

First Known Use of TOXIC

1890

Related to TOXIC

Synonyms

bane, poison, toxin, venom

Related Words

cancer, contagion, disease, virus; fungicide, germicide, herbicide, insecticide, microbicide, pesticide, toxicant

Near Antonyms

antidote, antivenin, antivenom, mithridate; cure; cure-all, elixir, panacea