[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/poison/)

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# poison

noun (poison — uncountable; poisons — kinds); verb (poison, poisons, poisoned, poisoning)

«poison» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A substance that can make you very ill or kill you if you swallow, breathe in or touch it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/poison/#m1)
2. Verb: to harm or kill someone with poison, or to put poison in something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/poison/#m2)
3. Something that spoils or harms: «Gossip is poison to a friendship». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/poison/#m3)

### In the lessons

In safety lessons: many household things are poisons — bleach, cleaning sprays, medicines, weed killer, some plants and berries, button batteries; keep them in their containers, locked away from small children; warning symbols mark them. If someone swallows poison, tell an adult at once and call the poison help line or emergency number; don't make them sick. In science and nature: some animals use venom, some plants and mushrooms are poisonous. In stories: the poisoned apple in Snow White. Phrases: rat poison, food poisoning, poison ivy, poison control, poisonous.

### Examples

- Bleach is a poison if you drink it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/poison/#x1)
- Keep poisons locked away from little children. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/poison/#x2)
- Some berries are poison — don't eat them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/poison/#x3)
- The witch poisoned the apple. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/poison/#x4)
- Food poisoning comes from bad or undercooked food. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/poison/#x5)
- Poison ivy gives you an itchy rash. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/poison/#x6)
- Call the poison help line if someone swallows medicine by mistake. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/poison/#x7)
- The skull and crossbones symbol means poison. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/poison/#x8)
- "We'll poison her--poison her!" shrieked the witches. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/poison/#x9)

### Note

Mostly uncountable: «some poison». Adjective: poisonous. Animals that bite or sting to inject poison are «venomous» (snakes, spiders); things that poison you when eaten or touched are «poisonous» (berries, some frogs). Never taste or sniff an unknown liquid.

## In Jewish tradition

Here it is a picture of cruel enemies: the wine of the wicked is like the venom of snakes. It is a harsh word of warning in Moses' song.

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads this verse as a warning about the bitter end of those who turn from God, whose pleasures turn out to be deadly.

### Examples

- Their wine is the venom of serpents, and the cruel poison of asps. (Torah DEU.32.33, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/poison/#x1)
- He shall suck the poison of asps; the viper's tongue shall slay him. (Writings JOB.20.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/poison/#x2)
- Who have whet their tongue like a sword, and have aimed their arrow, a poisoned word; (Writings PSA.64.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/poison/#x3)
- Yea, they put poison into my food; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (Writings PSA.69.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/poison/#x4)

### Note

Mostly uncountable: «some poison». Adjective: poisonous. Animals that bite or sting to inject poison are «venomous» (snakes, spiders); things that poison you when eaten or touched are «poisonous» (berries, some frogs). Never taste or sniff an unknown liquid.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «poison» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/poison/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«poison» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/poison.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «poison» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/poison/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«poison» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/poison.html) on Mova free.