mithridate

plural mithridates · alternative mithridat · alternative mithrydate · alternative mitridat · alternative mitridate · alternative mithrydat · alternative methridat · alternative methridate · alternative metridat · alternative metridate · alternative medridate · alternative methredate · alternative mythridate

1. countablehistoricaluncountablemedicineAny of various historical medicines, typically an electuary compounded with various poison, believed to derive from Mithridates VI and to serve as a universal antidote.

   Fools may talk of Mythridate, Cordials, Elixers...

   1686, Thomas D'Urfey, Common-wealth of Women, act V, scene ii, line 47

   3 more examples

   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

   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

   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

   1. archaicbroadlycountablefigurativelyhistoricaluncountablemedicineSynonym of cure.

      The contemplation was a mithridate to a pestered conceipted minde.

      1587, Angell Day translating Longus as Daphnis and Chloe, sig. C3v

      1 more example

      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

      Synonyms: cure

2. abbreviationcountableellipsisobsoleterareuncountableEllipsis of mithridate mustard.