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water cure

American  

noun

  1. hydropathy; hydrotherapy.

  2. a method of torture in which the victim is forced to drink great quantities of water.


water cure British  

noun

  1. med a nontechnical name for hydropathy hydrotherapy

  2. informal a form of torture in which the victim is forced to drink very large amounts of water

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of water cure

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Southern California is still searching for a water cure.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2022

The water cure advised patients to take water in a variety of ways, from steam baths and full tubs to showers and foot and sitz baths.

From Slate • Feb. 10, 2014

Stories about phrenological readings, homeopathic remedies, and trips to the water cure filled newspapers and magazines.

From Salon • Jan. 19, 2014

Granula considered the first ready-to-eat breakfast cereal, was developed from his 'Graham flour' by one of his followers, James Caleb Jackson, for patients at the latter's water cure resort.

From The Guardian • Nov. 23, 2010

Finally, in 1849, the whole family packed up to go to Malvern, where he could get an extensive treatment called a water cure with a doctor named James Gully.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman