Medicate

/ˈmɛdɪkeɪt/ verb

Definition

To treat someone with medicine or to add medicine to something like food or water.

Etymology

From Latin 'medicatus,' past participle of 'medicare,' derived from 'medicus' meaning doctor. The word evolved from the idea of applying medical treatment.

Kelly Says

When doctors 'medicate' a patient, they're doing something dating back to ancient Rome—the root 'medicus' gave us not just this word but also 'medicine,' 'medieval,' and even 'medicaid' and 'medicare'!

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