toxicity
UK: tɒkˈsɪsɪti | US: tɑːkˈsɪsɪti
n. the quality or degree of being toxic (poisonous)
n. harmful or damaging effects of a substance or situation
toxicity = toxic<poison> + ity<noun suffix>
- toxic: From Latin toxicum (poison), originally from Greek toxikon (poison for arrows), derived from toxon (bow). The term evolved to describe substances harmful to living organisms.
- ity: A noun-forming suffix from Latin -itas, indicating a state or condition.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to ancient warfare, where toxikon referred to poison smeared on arrows. Over time, toxicum in Latin generalized to mean any poison, and the suffix -ity was added in English to denote the abstract quality of being poisonous. The progression reflects a shift from literal weaponized poison to broader biological and metaphorical harm.
The toxicity of the chemical requires careful handling in the lab.
Prolonged exposure to air pollution increases its toxicity to human health.
Social media toxicity can harm mental well-being.
Scientists measured the toxicity levels in the contaminated water.
The plant’s leaves contain natural toxicity to deter herbivores.