A poisonous substance produced by living organisms, especially one that causes disease when introduced into body tissues.
The Full Story
Greek1886well-attested
Coined in 1886 from Greek 'toxikon (pharmakon)' meaning '(poison) for arrows,' from 'toxon' (bow, arrow). The original Greek 'toxikon' was an adjective describing the poison smeared on arrowheads. The journey from 'bow' to 'poison' is remarkable: the Greeks named the poison after its delivery system, not
Did you know?
Theword 'toxic' originally had nothing to do with poison — it meant 'pertaining to a bow.' Greek 'toxikon' was short for 'toxikon pharmakon' (bow-drug, arrow poison). When the phrase was shortened, the 'arrow' part was forgotten andonly the 'poison' sense survived