Definition of "detoxify" [detoxify]

• To counteract or destroy the toxic properties of. (verb-transitive)
• To remove the effects of poison from. (verb-transitive)
• To treat (an individual) for alcohol or drug dependence, usually under a medically supervised program designed to rid the body of intoxicating or addictive substances. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "A 2007 University of Texas study review concluded that not only does melatonin detoxify harmful, cancer-causing free radicals, but in doing so it actually creates more antioxidants."
• "From the first moment of his election as party leader in December 2005, David Cameron's driving force was to "detoxify" the Conservative brand."
• "Muhammad took over Lee's life in every way, feeding him with as many as 70 pills a day, food supplements of various kinds, including something called Great Plains Bentonite Detox, which uses an active ingredient of cat litter to "detoxify" one's bowels."