Venenated

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Involving or comprising harmful substances that render it toxic
2. Characterized by the presence of poisonous materials that can cause harm
3. Treated by introducing a harmful or toxic substance to cause injury or death

Etymology: The Latin source is "venenatus," meaning "poisoned" or "envenomed," from "venenum," which covered poison, drugs, and magical potions alike. In Roman usage a "venenum" could be a remedy or a charm as easily as a deadly toxin, so the Latin word was never limited to harm. English borrowed the adjective through its Latin root and used it in the same literal sense. The form is rare and largely bookish, and it survives mainly in older dictionaries and technical writing. Its close relative, the verb "venenate," meant to poison or infect with poison, and the adjective "venenated" describes something that has been treated or tainted that way.

Synonyms: poisoned, toxic

Antonyms: purified, clean