ScienceAugust 23, 2026

antivenom

AN-tee-ven-um

Definition

A medicinal serum containing antibodies that counteract the effects of a specific animal or insect venom.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'anti-' (against) and the Latin 'venenum' (poison), the term was coined in the late 19th century to describe substances developed to neutralize toxins.

In the news

The article emphasizes that antivenom is the only medically effective treatment for a rattlesnake bite, correcting the myth that baby snakes are uniquely dangerous.

Scientists just debunked a dangerous myth about baby rattlesnakes

Read the full article ↗

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