Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
mithridate. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
mithridate, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
mithridate in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
mithridate you have here. The definition of the word
mithridate will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
mithridate, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Middle English mitridate and methridat, from Old French mithridat, from Late Latin mithridatum and mithridatium, from Latin Mithridātīus (“of or related to Mithridates”), from Mithridātēs + -ius, from Ancient Greek Μιθριδάτης (Mithridátēs), the Greek form of the name of Mithridates VI of Pontus. Doublet of mithridatium, mithridatum, and mithridaticon.
Pronunciation
Noun
mithridate (countable and uncountable, plural mithridates)
- (historical, pharmacology) Any of various historical medicine, typically an electuary compounded with various poison, believed to derive from Mithridates VI and to serve as a universal antidote.
1528, Joannes de Mediolano, translated by Thomas Paynell, Regimen Sanitatis Salerni, page 33:
1676, Richard Wiseman, “Of Lepra or Elephantiasis”, in Several Chirurgicall Treatises, London: Printed by E. Flesher and J Macock, for R Royston , and B Took , →OCLC, 1st book (A Treatise of Tumours), page 139:After I had thus evacuated the Plethora, and diſpoſed her body for Mercurialls more operative, I gave her each morning and evening a few grains of Mercur. diaphoret. in a bolus with conſ. lujule and Mithridate [...]
1686, Thomas D'Urfey, Common-wealth of Women, act V, scene ii, line 47:Fools may talk of Mythridate, Cordials, Elixers...
1990, Harold Leo Klawans, Newton's Madness, page 127:What he wanted, in effect, was a universal antidote, which medical science has for years referred to as a mithridate.
- (archaic, figuratively, by extension) Synonym of cure.
- 1587, Angell Day translating Longus as Daphnis and Chloe, sig. C3v:
- The contemplation was a mithridate to a pestered conceipted minde.
1592, John Lyly, Midas..., act IV, scene iv, line 47:That which maketh me most both to sorrow and wonder, is that musick (a methridat for melancholy) should make him mad.
- (obsolete, rare) Ellipsis of mithridate mustard.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Translations
supposed universal antidote against poison
References