noun, verb
noun [C,U]
1 a substance that causes death or harm if it is swallowed or absorbed into the body:
Some mushrooms contain a deadly poison. * How did he die? Was it poison? * The dog was killed by rat poison (= poison intended to kill rats). * to hunt with poison arrows * bombs containing poison gas
2 an idea, a feeling, etc. that is extremely harmful:
the poison of racial hatred
IDIOMS
what's your poison? (spoken, humorous) used to ask sb what alcoholic drink they would like
verb [VN]
1 ~ sb (with sth) to harm or kill a person or an animal by giving them poison:
In the last chapter, she poisons herself with arsenic. * Thousands are at risk of being poisoned by fumes from faulty heaters.
2 to put poison in or on sth:
a poisoned arrow * Someone had been poisoning his food. * Large sections of the river have been poisoned by toxic waste from factories. * Exhaust fumes are poisoning our cities.
3 (written) to have a bad effect on sth:
His comment served only to poison the atmosphere still further. * She succeeded in poisoning their minds against me.
IDIOMS
a poisoned chalice (especially BrE) a thing which seems attractive when it is given to sb but which soon becomes unpleasant:
He inherited a poisoned chalice when he took over the job as union leader.
