mithridate

American  

[mith-ri-deyt] / ˈmɪθ rɪˌdeɪt /

noun

Old Pharmacology.

1. a confection believed to contain an antidote to every poison.

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mithridate British  

/ ˈmɪθrɪˌdeɪt /

noun

1. obsolete a substance believed to be an antidote to every poison and a cure for every disease

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Etymology

Origin of mithridate

1520–30; earlier mithridatum < Medieval Latin, variant of Late Latin mithridātium, noun use of neuter of Mithridātius, equivalent to Mithridāt(ēs) Mithridates VI ( def. ) ( mithridatism ) + -ius -ious

Explanation

Mithridate is an ancient cure or remedy that was said to counteract the effects of poison. During the Middle Ages, people would take mithridate in the hopes of warding off the plague. Though in past centuries it was widely considered a universal antidote to any poison, mithridate was not a scientifically proven cure but more of a mythical potion. Named for its supposed first-century Greek creator, Mithridates VI Eupator of Pontus, mithridate contained as many as 65 different ingredients. These included things like parsley, turpentine resin, and cinnamon. Mithridate was used to prevent or treat illness until the 19th century.

Example Sentences

If you love me, go and fetch me a little conserve of Roman wormwood and mithridate.

From Old Saint Paul's A Tale of the Plague and the Fire by Ainsworth, William Harrison

What silly mariner in my ship hath not bought or begged mithridate or a pinch of achimenius wherewith to make good his voyage?

From Sir Mortimer by Johnston, Mary

Note: Realgar: The Chinese believe that realgar is a mithridate and tonic.

From The Chinese Fairy Book by Wilhelm, Richard

To produce sweating, employ cardus water, and mithridate, or a decoction of guaiacum and sarsaparilla.

From The Works of Aristotle the Famous Philosopher Containing his Complete Masterpiece and Family Physician; his Experienced Midwife, his Book of Problems and his Remarks on Physiognomy by Aristotle

Household furniture is exported to Genoa, besides the usual articles: velvets, which were then the best in the world; satins, the best coral, mithridate, and treacle, are the principal or the peculiar imports.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels - Volume 18 Historical Sketch of the Progress of Discovery, Navigation, and Commerce, from the Earliest Records to the Beginning of the Nineteenth Century, By William Stevenson by Stevenson, William