poison

poi|son1 [ `pɔızn ] noun *

1. ) count or uncount a substance that can kill you or make you sick if you eat, drink, or breathe it:

Some mushrooms contain poison.

rat poison (=poison used for killing rats)

2. ) count or uncount something that has a negative effect:

Capitalism is regarded as a poison that is destroying the traditional way of life.

a ) uncount words or actions that express the feeling of hating someone:

The look she gave me was pure poison.

name/pick/choose your poison HUMOROUS

used for asking someone what type of alcoholic drink they would like

poison

poi|son 2 [ `pɔızn ] verb transitive *

1. ) to kill someone or make them very sick by giving them poison:

He was suspected of poisoning his wife.

a ) to put poison into food or drink because you want to kill someone or make them sick:

They have threatened to poison the city's drinking water.

2. ) to create pollution that damages part of the environment:

Waste from the factories is poisoning the water supply.

3. ) to have a bad influence on something:

The decision had poisoned relations between Britain and France.

poison someone's mind: Do you believe that television is poisoning the minds of our children?