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intoxicate

[verb in-tok-si-keyt; adjective in-tok-suh-kit, -keyt]
See more synonyms for intoxicate on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), in·tox·i·cat·ed, in·tox·i·cat·ing.
  1. to affect temporarily with diminished physical and mental control by means of alcoholic liquor, a drug, or another substance, especially to excite or stupefy with liquor.
  2. to make enthusiastic; elate strongly, as by intoxicants; exhilarate: The prospect of success intoxicated him.
  3. Pathology. to poison.
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verb (used without object), in·tox·i·cat·ed, in·tox·i·cat·ing.
  1. to cause or produce intoxication: having the power to intoxicate.
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adjective
  1. Archaic. intoxicated.
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Origin of intoxicate

1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin intoxicātus, past participle of intoxicāre to poison. See in-2, toxic, -ate1
Related formsin·tox·i·ca·ble [in-tok-si-kuh-buh l] /ɪnˈtɒk sɪ kə bəl/, adjectivein·tox·i·ca·tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

igniteagitatedisturbrouseembitterworseninfuriateexacerbateenrageroilrilearouseirritateincensekindleprovokeintensifystimulatefomentmove

Examples from the Web for intoxicate

Historical Examples

  • Their name, their garb, and work did so intoxicate and bewitch me.'

    Bunyan

    James Anthony Froude

  • She did not attempt to disguise her wish to please, to flatter, to intoxicate.

    A Great Man

    Arnold Bennett

  • She threw him one of those glances that intoxicate like wine.

    The Child of Pleasure

    Gabriele D'Annunzio

  • It did not intoxicate, but still further sobered, the beneficiary.

    The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte

    William Milligan Sloane

  • He, who offers incense to her intellect, may intoxicate and win.

    The Young Maiden

    A. B. (Artemas Bowers) Muzzey

British Dictionary definitions for intoxicate

intoxicate

verb (tr)
  1. (of an alcoholic drink) to produce in (a person) a state ranging from euphoria to stupor, usually accompanied by loss of inhibitions and control; make drunk; inebriate
  2. to stimulate, excite, or elate so as to overwhelm
  3. (of a drug) to poison
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Derived Formsintoxicable, adjectiveintoxicative, adjectiveintoxicator, noun

Word Origin

C16: from Medieval Latin, from intoxicāre to poison, from Latin toxicum poison; see toxic
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for intoxicate

v.

"to poison," mid-15c., from Medieval Latin intoxicatus, past participle of intoxicare "to poison," from Latin in- "in" (see in- (2)) + toxicare "to poison," from toxicum "poison" (see toxic). Meaning "make drunk" first recorded 1570s. Related: Intoxicated; intoxicating.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
intoxicate in Medicine

intoxicate

(ĭn-tŏk′sĭ-kāt′)
v.
  1. To stupefy or excite, as by the action of a chemical substance such as alcohol.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.