Emily Dickinson Lexicon

VEN'OM-OUS, a.

1. Poisonous; noxious to animal life; as, the bite of a serpent may be venomous. The sack at the base of the rattlesnake's teeth, contains venomous matter.
2. Noxious; mischievous; malignant; as, a venomous progeny. – Brown.
3. Spiteful; as, a venomous writer.