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Glite Dictionary
lead poisoning

lead poisoning

9 3.9
A condition that happens when too much lead gets into the body and makes you sick
  • noun
  • /lɛd ˈpɔɪzənɪŋ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : intoxicación por plomo
  • Congress realized that the only foolproof method of preventing lead poisoning is the abatement of the hazard.
  • childhood lead poisoning
  • lead poisoning in children
  • prevent lead poisoning

So you were never at risk of lead poisoning from pencils.

Examples

  • Lead is a toxin, and exposure to lead-based paint can cause lead poisoning.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Nearly half a million children are permanently injured by lead poisoning each year.

  • For example, about 20% of cases of lead poisoning in the US come from drinking water.

    Blog text (12)

  • Despite all the attention the issue has received since the 1950s, lead poisoning remains a leading health risk to young children.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Lead poisoning has been recognized as a major public health risk, particularly in developing countries.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Who do you know who's at the most risk for lead poisoning, at least in this country?

  • Not only does lead poisoning cause individual human suffering, it also produces significant societal costs.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Lead-based paint is a major source of lead poisoning for children and can also affect adults.

  • A child whose intellectual development is stunted by lead poisoning cannot excel in the classroom.

Synonyms

plumbism
vslead poisoning
  • Specialized
9.9

Poisoning that happens when too much lead builds up in the body

is the general medical label for that same toxic condition
saturnism
vslead poisoning
  • Specialized
9.9

A sickness you get from having too much lead in your body

is the standard clinical description of that toxic condition
lead colic
vslead poisoning
  • Archaic
9.9

Severe belly pain and constipation caused by long term lead poisoning

is the broader medical condition, not only digestive symptoms
painter's colic
vslead poisoning
  • Archaic
9.9

A condition of severe stomach pain and long-lasting constipation caused by lead poisoning

is the overall toxic condition rather than an occupation related symptom set

Antonyms

health
∞ 1.0

The condition of a person's body and mind, especially being free from illness or injury

wellness
52 3.2

Good physical and mental health that people try to keep

Surface Forms

lead poisoning singular
lead poisonings plural

Morphology

lead + poisoning

The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'lead' (the metal) + 'poisoning' (harmful condition from a toxin): it denotes poisoning caused by lead. This noun–noun causal/type compound follows a common, cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to understand it.

Etymology

Lead poisoning comes from the heavy metal lead, which is poisonous if people swallow or breathe it. Because lead was once used in paint and water pipes, children and others often became very 'sick', so the phrase means being ill from the metal.