mithridatize
Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word mithridatize. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word mithridatize, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say mithridatize in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word mithridatize you have here. The definition of the word mithridatize will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofmithridatize, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Alternative forms
- mithridatise (UK)
- mithradatize
Etymology
From Mithridates + -ize, in reference to Mithridates VI of Pontus.
Pronunciation
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˌmɪθrəˈdeɪdaɪz/
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈmɪθrɪdeɪtʌɪz/, /mɪˈθrɪdətʌɪz/
Verb
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
Frequently used reflexively and figuratively.
Derived terms
References
- “mithridatize, v.”, in OED Online
, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2022.
