mithridate en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˈmɪθrəˌdeɪt/ (General-American)
- /ˈmɪθrɪdeɪt/ (Received-Pronunciation)
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.
Meanings
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(countable, historical, uncountable) 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.
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: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: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:Fools may talk of Mythridate, Cordials, Elixers...
1686, Thomas D'Urfey, Common-wealth of Women, act V, scene ii, line 47:
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(archaic, broadly, countable, figuratively, historical, uncountable) 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. ▸ Synonym of cure.
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:The contemplation was a mithridate to a pestered conceipted minde.
1587, Angell Day translating Longus as Daphnis and Chloe, sig. C3v
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(abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, obsolete, rare, uncountable) Ellipsis of mithridate mustard.
alt of mithridate mustard
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| mythridate | alternative | lexicographic | |
| mithrydate | alternative | lexicographic | |
| mithridates | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| medridate | alternative | lexicographic | |
| metridat | alternative | lexicographic | |
| methridat | alternative | lexicographic | |
| mitridate | alternative | lexicographic | |
| metridate | alternative | lexicographic | |
| methridate | alternative | lexicographic | |
| methredate | alternative | lexicographic | |
| mithrydat | alternative | lexicographic | |
| mitridat | alternative | lexicographic | |
| mithridat | alternative | lexicographic |
Deriveds
mithridate pennywort · mithridate julep · mithridate confection · mithridate cress · mithridatic · candy mithridate · mithridate mustard
Synonyms
mithridatum · mithridatium · mithridate treacle · mithridaticon · cure · theriac
Translations (11)
pl mithridatum (supposed universal antidote against poison) · de Mithridat (supposed universal antidote against poison) · it mitridato (supposed universal antidote against poison) · pl mitrydat (supposed universal antidote against poison) · pt mithridato (supposed universal antidote against poison) · es mitridato (supposed universal antidote against poison) · pt mitridátio (supposed universal antidote against poison) · la mithridatum (supposed universal antidote against poison) · la mithridatium (supposed universal antidote against poison) · ca metridat (supposed universal antidote against poison) · fr mithridate (supposed universal antidote against poison)