Venomizing

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The act of infusing or injecting venom into another organism
2. the process by which an organism produces toxic substances to harm or immobilize prey or predators
3. the method of rendering something toxic or harmful through venomous mechanisms

Etymology: "Venomizing" is the present participle of "venomize," a verb built from "venom" with the suffix "-ize." Venom itself came into English from Anglo-Norman and Old French "venim," which traces back to Latin "venenum," meaning poison or a magic potion. The Latin word is the source of many English terms about poisons, such as "venenate" and "venefic." The suffix "-ize" comes from Greek "-izein," used to form verbs meaning to make, make like, or treat in a certain way. Joining it to "venom" produces a verb meaning to make something venomous, or to treat something with venom. The present participle form "venomizing" describes the action as it is happening, as in the act of injecting poison into something or someone.