mithridatize
English edit
Alternative forms edit
- mithridatise (UK)
- mithradatize
Etymology edit
From Mithridates + -ize, in reference to Mithridates VI of Pontus.
Pronunciation edit
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˌmɪθrəˈdeɪdaɪz/
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈmɪθrɪdeɪtʌɪz/, /mɪˈθrɪdətʌɪz/
Verb edit
mithridatize (third-person singular simple present mithridatizes, present participle mithridatizing, simple past and past participle mithridatized)
- (US) To make immune to a poison by administration of gradually increasing doses.
- 1866, J.R. Lowell, letter:
- Our constitutions adapt themselves to the slow poison of the world till we become mithridatized at last.
- 1890, E.R. Lankester, The Advancement of Science, page 114:
- Poisonous snakes are... ‘mithridatised’ in regard to their own poison.
- Her experiences in high school gradually mithridatized her to the ways of men.
- 1866, J.R. Lowell, letter:
Usage notes edit
Frequently used reflexively and figuratively.
Derived terms edit
References edit
- “mithridatize, v.”, in OED Online
, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, 2022.
