Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Drag to rotate
Tracing “”…
Where does the word "venom" come from? It comes from Latin venenum, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "venom" come from? It comes from Latin venenum, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Venom’s story begins in Latin: venenum meant “poison, love potion.” Possibly from 'Venus', originally a love potion. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as venim. Snake venom. It reached English by 1200s as venom. 'venomous' followed. Today, venom means poison secreted by animals.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient venenum "poison, love potion", possibly from 'Venus', originally a love potion.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval venim "poison", snake venom.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s venom "poison", 'venomous' followed.