Also 7–8 impoisonment. [f. as prec. + -MENT.]
1. The administration of poison to a person; the fact of being poisoned. arch. or Obs.
1569. R. Androse, trans. Alexis’ Secr., IV. III. 13. A more excellent remedie against empoysonments [printed empoysments].
1600. O. E., Repl. Libel, I. v. 104. The apostles … neuer taught … empoisonment of princes.
1653. A. Wilson, Jas. I., 84. I have found in the Book of God, examples of all other offences, but not any one of an Impoysonment, or an Impoysoner.
1727. Swift, Further Acc. E. Curll, III. I. 154. The manner of Mr. Curll’s impoisonment.
1815. Month. Mag., XXXIX. 309. Sudden death, so like an empoisonment.
1824. Landor, Imag. Conv., Wks. 1846, I. xii. 49. You … rarely find an empoisonment … committed in England for policy.
2. The action of tainting or impregnating with poison. Also fig.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 915. And these Empoisonments of air are the more dangerous in meetings of people.
1886. Farrar, Westm. Serm., in Libr. Mag. (N.Y.), 16 Oct., 595. His bad example is a spiritual empoisonment.
