Based on the ancient French venim, in reference to the Latin venēnum, from which the Italian veleno and even a first version in Spanish as venino are also derived and then consolidated as a ‘venom’, with respect to potions that attract, impress, heal or kill, being seen as aphrodisiacs, magical, medicinal or toxic, for example a recipe capable of attracting a person’s love, a selection of herbs to help treat a cold or a substance extracted from an animal and placed on a sword to contaminate the enemy. From the root in the Indo-European *wen-, for ‘desire’ or ‘craving’. Explore the Romans’ interest in the goddess Venus (equivalent to Aphrodite in Greek culture).

Its adjective is identified in the Latin venōsus, likewise, the linguistic nucleus has influence presenting itself in the construction of ‘virus’ (seen in the Latin virus), ‘venerate’ (given by the Latin venerāri), or ‘venial’ (ruled by the Latin veniālis).