Antipharmic

/ænˈtɪf.ɑːr.mɪk/ adjective

Definition

Serving as an antidote or remedy against poison or harmful substances; counteracting the effects of a poison or drug.

Etymology

From Greek 'anti' (against) + 'pharmakon' (poison/drug/remedy). Interestingly, the Greek word 'pharmakon' meant both poison and cure—the remedy and the harm were considered opposite sides of the same thing.

Kelly Says

The Greek word 'pharmakon' is fascinating because it means both poison and medicine—Socrates was executed by poison (hemlock), and the same word was used for both his death and the cure that could have saved him!

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