Definition of antidote

The word "antidote" originated from the Greek words "anti" meaning "against" and "dotos" meaning "given". In ancient Greece, an antidote referred to a medicine or remedy that would counteract the effects of a poison. This concept was first described by the Greek physician Hippocrates (460-370 BCE) and further developed by the Greek physician Andromachus (3rd century BCE). The word "antidote" was later adopted into Latin as "antidotum" and then into various European languages. The concept of an antidote remained the same, referring to a substance that could neutralize or counteract the effects of a poison or a toxic substance. Today, the term "antidote" continues to be used in medicine to refer to a substance that can counteract the effects of a poison or a toxin, and also more broadly to refer to a remedy or treatment that counteracts a negative effect or consequence.