Poisonings

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The process or event involving the introduction of harmful substances into an organism that produces illness or injury
2. An instance where toxic materials enter a body, causing adverse health consequences
3. Occurrences where someone or something consumes or comes into contact with dangerous chemicals or toxins causing harm

Etymology: "Poisonings" is simply the plural of "poisoning," which in turn is "poison" with the suffix "-ing" attached. The suffix turns the verb "to poison" into a noun for the act or its result, so a poisoning is an instance of someone being poisoned. The plural adds the familiar "-s" to count separate incidents. "Poison" itself came into English through Old French "poison," from Latin "potio," meaning a drink or potion. The Latin sense was neutral, so the modern dangerous meaning developed from the idea that a harmful substance was something swallowed in a drink.

Synonyms: toxifications, contaminations

Antonyms: antidotes