mithridatize

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)

1. (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.

Usage notes

Frequently used reflexively and figuratively.

Derived terms

• mithridatization

References

• “mithridatize, v.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2022.