I. ˈtäk-sik adjective
Etymology: Late Latin toxicus, from Latin toxicum poison, from Greek toxikon arrow poison, from neuter of toxikos of a bow, from toxon bow, arrow
Date: 1664
1. : containing or being poisonous material especially when capable of causing death or serious debilitation
toxic waste
a toxic radioactive gas
an insecticide highly toxic to birds
2. : exhibiting symptoms of infection or toxicosis
the patient became toxic two days later
3. : extremely harsh, malicious, or harmful
toxic sarcasm
• tox·ic·i·ty täk-ˈsi-sə-tē noun
II. noun
Date: 1890
: a toxic substance — usually used in plural