'antidote' originates from Late Latin, specifically the word 'antidotum', ultimately from Greek 'antídōton' (ἀντίδωτον), where the prefix 'anti-' meant 'against' and the root (from Greek 'dídōmi' / 'dōron') related to 'give' or 'that which is given'.

'antidote' changed from Greek 'antídōton' to Late Latin 'antidotum', passed into Medieval/Old French and Middle English (forms like 'antidot'/'antidote'), and eventually became the modern English word 'antidote'.

Initially, it meant 'that which is given against (something), especially poison'; over time it evolved into the current meaning of 'a substance or remedy that counteracts poison' and, by extension, 'something that counteracts a harmful influence'.