‖ ˈtoxicum
Pl. -a.
[L. toxicum ‘poison’, orig. ‘poison for arrows’, ad. Gr. τοξικὸν ϕάρµακον poison (ϕάρµακον) for smearing arrows (τοξικός, -όν, f. τόξα pl. arrows, transf. fr. τόξον bow). τοξικόν = ‘of or pertaining to the bow’, and had originally nothing to do with poison. But the effect of using τοξικόν, toxicum as short for the Gr. phrase was to transfer the sense ‘poison’ from ϕάρµακον to toxicum, first as ‘poison for arrows’ and at length as ‘poison’ generally, = L. venēnum.]
Poison: cf. toxic n.
| 1601 Holland Pliny xxix. iv. II. 355 It is generally thought, that for the venome called Toxicum, there is not a better counterpoyson than dogs bloud. 1657 Physical Dict., Toxicum, a venom or poyson where with arrows are poysoned. 1669 W. Simpson Hydrol. Chym. 78 The vital spirits stand amazed as if smitten with a thunder-clap from the uterine toxicum. 1693 tr. Blancard's Phys. Dict. (ed. 2), Toxica, poysonous Medicaments, wherewith Barbarians use to anoint their Arrows. 1704 in J. Harris Lex. Techn. I. |