Definition of "toxin" []

• A poisonous substance, especially a protein, that is produced by living cells or organisms and is capable of causing disease when introduced into the body tissues but is often also capable of inducing neutralizing antibodies or antitoxins. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Today the term toxin is used to described anything that is foreign or poisonous to the body."
• "Dr. Bauer pointed out that while the term "toxin" is tossed around, it has no real definition or clear meaning."
• "Massey conservation biology master's student Andy Warneford has just completed what he calls a toxin optimisation study in the Waitakere Ranges, west of Auckland."