mithridate

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.

noun

1. (historical medicine) Any of various historical medicines—typically an electuary compounded with various poisons—believed to derive from Mithridates VI and to serve as a universal antidote.
   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
   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
2. (figurative, now rare) Synonym of cure.
   The contemplation was a mithridate to a pestered conceipted minde. 1587, Angell Day translating Longus as Daphnis and Chloe, sig. C3v
   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
3. (rare, obsolete) Ellipsis of mithridate mustard.: pepperwort (L. campestre), pennycress (T. arvense), or candytuft (Iberis).