intoxicate
Definitions
To make someone drunk or affected by alcohol or drugs.
使（人）醉；使受酒精或药物影响。
To fill someone with intense excitement or exhilaration, as if drugged.
使（人）陶醉、忘乎所以，仿佛被某种东西迷醉。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedHere in- means "into" (not the negative "not"): in- (into) + toxic (poison) + -ate (to make) = "to put poison into." It first meant literally to poison someone. Because getting drunk is a mild self-poisoning, it shifted to "make drunk," then leapt one more step to the figurative "fill with thrilling excitement" — feelings that hit you like a drug.
Root tox still carries 5 more wordsWhy It Means This
Intoxicate is the family's most traveled word: poison → drunk → thrilled. The original "poison" sense is now rare; today it almost always means "make drunk" (the legal term is "driving while intoxicated") or, figuratively, "sweep away with excitement" (intoxicated by success, by fame, by love). The thread through all three is the same: a substance or feeling so strong it takes over your body and judgment.
Common Collocations
- 1.intoxicated by success被成功冲昏头脑
- 2.heavily intoxicated酩酊大醉
- 3.intoxicating effect令人陶醉的效果
- 4.driving while intoxicated醉酒驾驶
Example Sentences
- 1.
Just two glasses of wine were enough to intoxicate him.
- 2.
He was clearly intoxicated and could barely stand up.
- 3.
The roar of the crowd seemed to intoxicate the young singer.
- 4.
She was intoxicated by the freedom of living alone for the first time.