Etymology
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detox

1972 as a verb, "subject (someone) with an addiction to detoxification," a colloquial abbreviation of detoxify; 1975 as a noun, "place for the treatment of alcoholics and drug addicts," a colloquial abbreviation of detoxification (center, facility, etc.).

Entries linking to detox

detoxify (v.)

1905, "remove poisonous qualities from;" see de- + toxic + -fy. Earlier in the same sense was detoxicate (1867). Of persons, "treat to remove the effects of alcohol or drugs as a step to ending addiction," by 1970. Related: Detoxified; detoxifying.

detoxification (n.)

1905, of substances, "action of depriving of poisonous qualities;" 1971, "removal of addictive substances from the body," originally in reference to habitual heavy drinkers of alcohol; see detoxify + noun ending -ation. As a type of alternative health treatment, by 1997.

updated on August 04, 2018

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Dictionary entries near detox

dethronement

detonate

detonation

detonator

detour

detox

detoxicate

detoxification

detoxify

detract

detraction

© 2001-2022 Douglas Harper