venomous
Adjective
This term describes a biological mechanism of delivery, specifically involving a specialized apparatus like fangs or stingers to actively inject a toxin into a victim. It is a technical distinction often confused with poisonous, which refers to toxins that are inhaled or ingested. In social contexts, the word shifts to describe a biting, malicious tone of voice or a spirit of intense hatred. It suggests a level of cruelty that is intended to cause deep emotional wounds, mirroring the lethal nature of a biological toxin.