mithridate
nounUS /ˈmɪθrəˌdeɪt/ · UK /ˈmɪθrɪdeɪt/
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.
1
Medicine, Pharmacology, Sciences Historical Any of various historical medicines, typically an electuary compounded with various poison, believed to derive from Mithridates VI and to serve as a universal antidote.
- Auicen saythe; There be certeyne medicins... which wyl not suffre poyson to approche nere the harte, as triacle and Metridate.1528, Joannes de Mediolano, translated by Thomas Paynell, Regimen Sanitatis Salerni, page 33:
- 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 [...]1676, Richard Wiseman, “Of Lepra or Elephantiasis”, in Several Chirurgicall Treatises, London: Printed by E. Flesher and J[ohn] Macock, for R[ichard] Royston […], and B[enjamin] Took […], →OCLC, 1st book (A Treatise of Tumours), page 139:
2 more examples
- Fools may talk of Mythridate, Cordials, Elixers...1686, Thomas D'Urfey, Common-wealth of Women, act V, scene ii, line 47:
- What he wanted, in effect, was a universal antidote, which medical science has for years referred to as a mithridate.1990, Harold Leo Klawans, Newton's Madness, page 127:
2
Medicine, Pharmacology, Sciences Archaic, Broadly, Figuratively, Historical Synonym of cure.
- The contemplation was a mithridate to a pestered conceipted minde.1587, Angell Day translating Longus as Daphnis and Chloe, sig. C3v
- That which maketh me most both to sorrow and wonder, is that musick (a methridat for melancholy) should make him mad.1592, John Lyly, Midas..., act IV, scene iv, line 47:
- Synonyms
- mithridatium, mithridatum, mithridaticon, mithridate treacle, theriac
- Derived terms
- candy mithridate, mithridate confection, mithridate cress, mithridate julep, mithridate mustard, mithridate pennywort, mithridatic