mithridatize en · VERB
Pronunciation
- /ˌmɪθrəˈdeɪdaɪz/ (General-American)
- /ˈmɪθrɪdeɪtʌɪz/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- /mɪˈθrɪdətʌɪz/ (Received-Pronunciation)
Etymology
From Mithridates + -ize, in reference to Mithridates VI of Pontus.
Meanings
-
(US) To make immune to a poison by administration of gradually increasing doses.
Our constitutions adapt themselves to the slow poison of the world till we become mithridatized at last.
1866, J.R. Lowell, letterHer experiences in high school gradually mithridatized her to the ways of men.
Poisonous snakes are... ‘mithridatised’ in regard to their own poison.
1890, E.R. Lankester, The Advancement of Science, page 114:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| mithradatize | alternative | lexicographic | |
| mithridatized | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| mithridatized | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| mithridatise | alternative | lexicographic | |
| mithridatizing | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| mithridatizes | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic |