toxic English · revision 6589

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1664|origins=grc τόξον}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈtɒk.sɪk/ ''(UK)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|toxique]] and directly [[bor|la-lat|toxicus|t=poisoned]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) from [[la|toxicum|t=poison]], from [[grc|τοξικόν|tr=toxikón]], in toxikòn phármakon, poison for arrows,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021) the neuter of [[m|grc|τοξικός|tr=toxikós|t=of a bow or archery]], from [[m|grc|τόξον|tr=tóxon|t=bow]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The Greek word has been taken as a Scythian loanword, from Iranian taxša-, bow (Watkins), or as Pre-Greek (Beekes).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Poisonous: 1664, in John Evelyn's ''Sylva''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Caused by poison, as toxic symptoms, is from 1872;^(OED 1989) ''toxic shock syndrome'' follows.^(OED 1989) As a noun, a toxic substance, it is from 1890.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) Word Origins notes that [[intoxicate]] comes from the related toxicum and has been associated with alcohol since the late 16th century.^(Cresswell 2021) Figurative uses for anything very harmful, such as a toxic relationship, and in finance for an asset likely to cause great loss, are recent.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1664 – poisonous, in Evelyn.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1872 – caused by poison.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1890 – a toxic substance.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[poisonous|alt=Poisonous]]; of or caused by a [[poison]] or [[toxin]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Very harmful or unpleasant in a way that spreads: ''a toxic atmosphere''.^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of a financial asset or debt, likely to cause heavy loss.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[toxically]]

+ * [[toxicity]]

+ * [[detoxicate]]

+ * [[antitoxic]]

+ * [[atoxic]]

+ * [[cytotoxic]]

+ * [[embryotoxic]]

+ * [[fungitoxic]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[toxin]]

+ * [[intoxicate]]

+ * [[toxicant]]

+ * [[toxicology]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}