Hormetic
/hɔːrˈmɛtɪk/noun
Relating to hormesis, a biological effect in which a low dose of a harmful agent can produce a beneficial response.
Did you know?*Hormetic* comes from *hormesis*, a term coined in the 20th century from Greek roots meaning “to set in motion” or “urge on,” not from any ancient spellbook—though the idea itself feels almost alchemical.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὁρμάω (hormáō)
“to set in motion, impel, urge”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὁρμή (hormḗ)
“impulse, rush, onset”
19th Century
English
hormesis
“a stimulation or beneficial effect produced by a small dose of a substance or stressor”
20th Century
English
hormetic
“relating to or characterized by hormesis”