vergifbare

Vergifbare is a Dutch adjective that denotes something capable of being poisoned or susceptible to poisoning. The word is formed from vergif, meaning poison, and the suffix -baar, which marks capability. It is used primarily in toxicology, safety documentation, and some historical or technical texts to describe substances, environments, or agents that could cause poisoning upon exposure.

In practice, Dutch more commonly uses giftig or vergiftig to describe something poisonous. Vergifbare tends to appear in formal or specialized registers and is often found in phrases such as vergifbare stoffen (poisonable or hazardous substances) or vergifbare omgeving (poison-prone environment). The term can be employed in physical contexts related to chemical safety as well as in metaphorical senses, though metaphorical usage is relatively rare.

Etymology and usage notes: vergifbare is composed of vergif (poison) and -baar (capable of), mirroring similar constructions in Dutch and many other languages. It is important not to conflate vergifbaar with giftig or vergiftig, which describe the inherent toxicity of a substance. In regulatory or hazard-classification contexts, more precise terms are often preferred.

Examples:

- De opslagruimte bevat vergifbare stoffen die bij lekkage giftige dampen kunnen vormen.

- Sommige chemische verbindingen zijn vergifbaar en vereisen streng toezicht en passende beveiligingsmaatregelen.

See also: giftig, vergiftiging, vergiftig.