mithridatium

English

Alternative forms

• Mithridatium

Etymology

From Late Latin 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 mithridate, mithridatum, and mithridaticon.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌmɪθrɪˈdeɪtɪəm/

Noun

mithridatium (plural mithridatiums or mithridatia)

1. (historical medicine) Synonym of mithridate.
   • 1559, Conrad Gesner, translated by Peter Morwyng, The Treasure of Euonymus, page 332:

     ...putting into it Saccharum Buglossatum or triacle, or Mithridatium...

   • 1989 Sept. 14, Nature, p. 115:

     Until as late as 1786, the London physician could officially prescribe the Venice treacle or Mithradatium, a remedy that contained as many as 65 ingredients including the dried flesh of vipers.

   • 2010, Richard Swiderski, Poison Eaters, page 54:

     A number of theriacs and mithridatia appear in the writings of ancient doctors, but it is rare to find an account of how one of them was used and the effect it had.

References

• “mithridatium, n.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2022.