detoxicate

[ dee-tok-si-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, de·tox·i·cat·ed, de·tox·i·cat·ing.

1. to detoxify.

detoxicate

/ diːˈtɒksɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to rid (a patient) of a poison or its effects
2. to counteract (a poison)

Derived Forms

• deˈtoxicant, adjectivenoun
• deˌtoxiˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• de·tox·i·cant [dee-, tok, -si-k, uh, nt], adjective noun
• de·toxi·cator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of detoxicate¹

1865–70; de- + Latin toxic ( um ) poison ( toxic ) + -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of detoxicate¹

C19: de- + -toxicate, from Latin toxicum poison; see toxic

Example Sentences

Potentiation seems to take place when one compound destroys the liver enzyme responsible for detoxicating the other.

From The New Yorker

Ordinarily these substances are rendered harmless either before absorption or are detoxicated in the liver to harmless substances.

From Project Gutenberg