alexipharmic

[ uh-lek-suh-fahr-mik ]

adjective

1. warding off poisoning or infection; antidotal; prophylactic.

noun

1. an alexipharmic agent, especially an internal antidote.

alexipharmic

/ əˌlɛksɪˈfɑːmɪk /

adjective

1. acting as an antidote

noun

1. an antidote

Word History and Origins

Origin of alexipharmic¹

1665–75; obsolete alexipharm ( ac ) antidote (< Greek alexiphármakon, equivalent to alexi- averter ( alexin ) + phármakon poison, drug) + -ic; pharmacy

Word History and Origins

Origin of alexipharmic¹

C17: from Greek alexipharmakon antidote, from alexein to avert + pharmakon drug

Example Sentences

Resisting poison; obviating the effects of venom; alexipharmic.

From Project Gutenberg

A. bracteāta is used in India as an anthelminthic; A. odoratissima, a West Indian species, is a valuable bitter and alexipharmic.

From Project Gutenberg

Plants, alexipharmic, 268, 272, 276, 298, 300.

From Project Gutenberg

It is scarcely needful to say that the emission of bubbles is a most ordinary phenomenon, and could have not the slightest connexion with the alexipharmic power of the stone, whether real or imaginary.

From Project Gutenberg

Of course this would make Psylli of all men; but there may be this measure of truth in the supposition, that the natural exudations of a human body which has been bathed or rubbed with a penetrating alexipharmic, may be so impregnated with the odour, as to be peculiarly repellent of the snake.

From Project Gutenberg