homeopathy

American  

[hoh-mee-op-uh-thee] / ˌhoʊ miˈɒp ə θi /

noun

1. the method of treating disease by drugs, given in minute doses, that would produce in a healthy person symptoms similar to those of the disease (opposed to allopathy).

---

homeopathy British  

/ ˌhəʊmɪəˈpæθɪk, ˌhəʊmɪˈɒpəθɪst, ˌhəʊmɪˈɒpəθɪ, ˈhəʊmɪəˌpæθ /

noun

1. a method of treating disease by the use of small amounts of a drug that, in healthy persons, produces symptoms similar to those of the disease being treated Compare allopathy

---

homeopathy Scientific  

/ hō′mē-ŏp′ə-thē /

1. A nontraditional system for treating and preventing disease, in which minute amounts of a substance that in large amounts causes disease symptoms are given to healthy individuals. This is thought to enhance the body's natural defenses.

---

homeopathy Cultural  

1. A system of treating disease in which small doses of certain substances are administered; in large doses, given to a healthy person, these substances would produce the symptoms of the disease. The principles of homeopathy do not enjoy widespread acceptance in the medical community.

---

Other Word Forms

• homeopathist
  noun
• homeopathic
  adjective
• homeopathically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of homeopathy

First recorded in 1820–30; homeo- + -pathy

Compare meaning

How does homeopathy compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• homeopathy vs. allopathy

Example Sentences

Homoeopathy has had a still more extended period of trial than this, and we have seen with what results.

From Medical Essays, 1842-1882 by Holmes, Oliver Wendell

This encouraged him to monopolise the conversation: He, Vries, was a man possessed of courage and wisdom; he understood Phrenology, Allopathy, Homoeopathy, Engineering Science, Metereology —like Molière's doctors and Holberg's Oldfux.

From Recollections of My Childhood and Youth by Brandes, Georg Morris Cohen

A few years after I became a convert to Homoeopathy I met in a railroad car a venerable professor from the college where I graduated.

From Personal Experience of a Physician by Ellis, John

Homoeopathy is strictly a scientific system of medicine.

From Personal Experience of a Physician by Ellis, John

Homoeopathy smiled comfortably from behind the tea-urn, and Kate for the first time thanked Providence for the birth of Dr. Hahnemann.

From A Romance of Wastdale by Mason, A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley)