toxin

tox·in

noun \ˈtäk-sən\

Definition of TOXIN

: a poisonous substance that is a specific product of the metabolic activities of a living organism and is usually very unstable, notably toxic when introduced into the tissues, and typically capable of inducing antibody formation

Examples of TOXIN

1. the toxin in scorpion venom
2. <read a pamphlet on the toxin responsible for botulism, a food poisoning that can cause paralysis and even death in some cases>

Origin of TOXIN

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use: 1886

Related to TOXIN

Synonyms: bane, toxic, poison, 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

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Rhymes with TOXIN

coxswain, tocsin