Poisoner: meaning, definitions and examples

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poisoner

 

[ ˈpɔɪzənər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

criminal act

A poisoner is an individual who administers poison to another person with the intent to cause harm or death. This can be done stealthily, often without the victim’s knowledge. Poisoners may use a variety of toxic substances, either in liquid, solid, or gas form. Historically, poisoners have been associated with espionage, betrayal, and assassination. Their sinister actions have been depicted in literature and media, often representing the darkest elements of human behavior.

Synonyms

assassin, murderer

Examples of usage

  • The poisoner slipped a lethal dose into the victim's drink.
  • In many classic novels, the poisoner is a cunning character who escapes justice.
  • The investigation revealed that the poisoner had a motive rooted in jealousy.
  • She became notorious as a poisoner in the dark underworld of crime.

Translations

Translations of the word "poisoner" in other languages:

🇵🇹 envenenador

🇮🇳 जहर देने वाला

🇩🇪 Giftmischer

🇮🇩 peracik racun

🇺🇦 отруйник

🇵🇱 trucizna

🇯🇵 毒物供給者

🇫🇷 empoisonneur

🇪🇸 envenenador

🇹🇷 zehirleyen

🇰🇷 독살자

🇸🇦 مسمم

🇨🇿 otrava

🇸🇰 otrava

🇨🇳 毒药者

🇸🇮 strup

🇮🇸 eitur

🇰🇿 уытқұйғыш

🇬🇪 წამლავი

🇦🇿 zəhərləyici

🇲🇽 envenenador

Word origin

The term 'poisoner' derives from the late Middle English word 'poison', which comes from the Old French 'poison', meaning a substance that can cause injury, illness, or death. This French word itself traces back to the Latin 'potionem', meaning 'a drink', which is derived from 'potare', meaning 'to drink'. Over the centuries, the concept of poisoning has held a connotation of treachery and malice, often seen in historical contexts of warfare, political intrigue, and personal vendettas. The act of poisoning has been recorded in various cultures and was commonly used as a method of assassination or covert murder, especially among the elite. The term 'poisoner' specifically emphasizes the active role of a person who employs these deadly substances with harmful intent, adding a layer of moral atrocity to their actions.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,014, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.