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toxic Definition

toxic (täk′sik)

adjective

  1. of, affected by, or caused by a toxin, or poison
  2. acting as a poison; poisonous

Etymology: ML toxicus < L toxicum, a poison < Gr toxicon, a poison, orig., poison in which arrows were dipped < toxicos, of or for a bow < toxon, a bow

noun

a toxic substance; also, something contaminated by a toxic substance: usually used in pl.

toxic Related Forms
tox·ic′·ity (-is′ə tē) noun
toxic Synonyms

toxic

modif.

noxious, virulent, lethal; see deadly, poisonous.

toxic Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • Non: Non toxic, will not cause excema, asthma or allergies and removes toxic residues from chemical cleaners.
  • non: It is a natural product and non toxic to humans and animals but gets rid of the bugs.

Modifies a noun

  • fume: Prior to the importance of arsenic, the toxic arsenic fumes were just fed into the air.
  • substance: The water changes color due to the release of toxic substances through the 2000 pores on the soles of each foot.. .
  • chemical: The puppies are poisoned with varying doses of toxic chemicals for a period of 15 weeks.
  • necrolysis: Similar life-threatening consequences occur when large areas of necrotic epidermis are shed in toxic epidermal necrolysis, in adults usually due to drugs.
  • pollutant: A FOE survey of available data showed toxic pollutants in groundwater around 18 landfill sites in East Anglia.
  • by-product: Back to Top D Dioxins a toxic chemical by-product created by many industrial processes.

Modifying Another Word

  • acutely: Musk xylene is a carcinogen, and the most acutely toxic compound in the group.
  • maternally: Near-term rat fetuses showed growth retardation, again at maternally toxic doses.
  • potentially: There are also special warning symbols to alert you to potentially toxic herbs.
  • moderately: Effects on birds: Malathion is moderately toxic to birds.
  • highly: Effects on Aquatic Species: DDT is very highly toxic to many aquatic invertebrate species.
  • mildly: The main ingredient, carbon black is mildly toxic, but modern machines with replaceable toner cartridges minimize exposure.

Infinitive complement

  • fish: Unlike urea, Clearway products do not degrade to form ammonia, and are therefore not toxic to fish.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: Never cook or boil honey as heating causes honey to become toxic.
  • consider: In the manufacturing process, it is often treated with chlorine bleach, formaldehyde and other finishing agents that are considered toxic.

Preposition: in

  • dose: Is toxic in large doses, causing among other problems, liver failure.

Preposition: for

  • reproduction: It is suspected of causing cancer and may be toxic for reproduction.

Preposition: by

  • inhalation: Examples of risk phrases include " may cause cancer " or " toxic by inhalation " .