Making someone dizzy, confused, or excited in a way that makes them lose control, either from alcohol or from emotional excitement.
From 'intoxicate,' derived from Latin 'toxicum' (poison), with 'in-' (to put in). Originally referred specifically to poisoning, then to the effect of alcohol, then broadened to any overwhelming influence.
The root 'toxicum' comes from Greek for arrow poison, reminding us that alcohol was originally seen as a poison—which is technically true chemically! Now we use 'intoxicating' for anything powerfully alluring, from love to music, showing how language expands meanings from danger to pleasure.
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