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veleno

poison; venom

noun veh-LEH-noh Rare
Body & Health Health & Illness

Origin: From Latin venenum (poison, drug).

Also means

bitterness; spite

Usage Note

Veleno covers both animal venom (veleno di serpente, snake venom) and any toxic substance. Figuratively it means spite or venom in speech (parlare con veleno, to speak with venom). The adjective velenoso means 'poisonous' or 'spiteful'. Do not confuse veleno (poison as substance) with avvelenamento (poisoning as act/condition).

Examples

"Il ragno ha iniettato il veleno nella vittima."

Natural Translation

The spider injected venom into the victim.

Literal Translation

The spider has injected the venom in-the victim.

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