Definitions Related words Phrases Mentions Lyrics History Colors (New!) Easter eggs (New!)

Literary notes about lethal (AI summary)

The word "lethal" in literature functions both as a descriptor of tangible, deadly danger and as a metaphor for profound, often psychological, impact. It is frequently used to denote precise, quantifiable threats—such as doses of toxins, poisons, or radiation that are fatally effective [1][2][3]. At the same time, the term vividly characterizes settings and characters by imbuing them with an air of inevitable doom, as seen in the portrayal of ominous locales like the Lethal Chamber [4][5][6] or in moments where a single glance carries a fatal promise [7]. Additionally, lethal is not confined solely to the physical realm; it extends metaphorically to describe attributes like a mesmerizing beauty or an overpowering influence that can destroy from within [8][9]. In each usage, lethal sharpens the narrative, accentuating the fine line in which threat and destiny are often intertwined.
  1. I have easily succeeded in vaccinating mice against doses of bee-venom certainly lethal, by repeatedly inoculating them with very small doses.
    — from Venoms: Venomous Animals and Antivenomous Serum-therapeutics by A. (Albert) Calmette
  2. It was evident that we had seriously under-estimated the lethal dose.
    — from Hilda Wade, a Woman with Tenacity of Purpose by Grant Allen
  3. The maximal body temperatures tolerated by four cottonmouths were between 38° and 40° C., but a temperature of 38° was lethal to a fifth individual.
    — from Natural History of Cottonmouth Moccasin, Agkistrodon piscovorus (Reptilia) by Ray D. Burkett
  4. I looked at the Lethal Chamber on the corner of the square opposite.
    — from The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers
  5. I took his offered hand, and we strolled toward the Lethal Chamber.
    — from The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers
  6. He paused, and turned to the white Lethal Chamber.
    — from The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers
  7. "It's genuine enough," said Levy, with a sudden snarl and a lethal look that I intercepted at close quarters.
    — from Mr. Justice Raffles by E. W. (Ernest William) Hornung
  8. Her lethal beauty crowned with twining snakes That mingle with her hair, the Gorgon reigns.
    — from The Star-Treader, and other poems by Clark Ashton Smith
  9. History is full of cruel tragedies caused by the lethal sex.
    — from Love Among the ChickensA Story of the Haps and Mishaps on an English Chicken Farm by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse

More usage examples

Also see: Google, News, Images, Wikipedia, Reddit, BlueSky


Home   Reverse Dictionary / Thesaurus   Datamuse   Word games   Spruce   Feedback   Dark mode   Random word   Help


Color thesaurus

Use OneLook to find colors for words and words for colors

See an example

Literary notes

Use OneLook to learn how words are used by great writers

See an example

Word games

Try our innovative vocabulary games

Play Now

Read the latest OneLook newsletter issue: Threepeat Redux