Detoxify

/dɪˈtɑksɪfaɪ/ verb

Definition

To remove toxic or poisonous substances from something, especially to treat and remove harmful chemicals from the body.

Etymology

From de- (removal) + toxic (poisonous, from Greek toxikon, 'poison') + -fy (to make). The root 'toxic' originally referred to poison used on arrows.

Kelly Says

The word 'detoxify' exploded in popularity around the 1970s with the wellness movement, but it's actually been used scientifically since the 1800s—it's just that now everyone from juice bars to gyms uses it when they probably just mean 'cleanse.'

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