mithridatize

• mithridatise (UK)
• mithradatize

From Mithridates +‎ -ize, in reference to Mithridates VI of Pontus.

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌmɪθrəˈdeɪdaɪz/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈmɪθrɪdeɪtʌɪz/, /mɪˈθrɪdətʌɪz/

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.

Frequently used reflexively and figuratively.

• mithridatization

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