To remove toxic or poisonous substances from something, especially from the body, making it safe or less harmful.
From de- (removal) + toxic (poisonous) + -ate (verb suffix). This formal medical term emerged in the late 1800s as toxicology became a science and doctors needed a precise term.
There's actually a difference between 'detoxicate' (the formal medical term) and 'detox' (slang)—doctors use detoxicate in clinical settings, but you'll never hear it at a wellness center because it sounds too technical.
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