toxin: a poison. It may be produced by a virus, bacteria, plant or animal. During pregnancy, a toxin may pass through the placenta from the mother to the fetus.

Dictionary of Sexology Project: Main Index

Tox"in, Tox"ine (?), n. [Gr.. See Toxic. ]

A poisonous product formed by pathogenic bacteria, or plants or animals, as a toxic proteid or poisonous ptomaine.

© Webster 1913.