Homeopathy is a way of treating an illness in which the patient is given very small amounts of a drug that produces signs of the illness in healthy people.
homeopathy in British English
or homoeopathy (ˌhəʊmɪˈɒpəθɪ)
noun
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
Derived forms
homeopathic or homoeopathic (ˌhəʊmɪəˈpæθɪk)
adjective
homeopathically (ˌhomeoˈpathically) or homoeopathically (ˌhomoeoˈpathically)
adverb
homeopathist or homoeopathist (ˌhəʊmɪˈɒpəθɪst), homeopath or homoeopath (ˈhəʊmɪəˌpæθ)
noun
homeopathy in American English
(ˌhoʊmiˈɑpəθi)
noun
a system of medical treatment based on the theory that certain diseases can be cured by giving very small doses of drugs which in a healthy person would produce symptoms like those of the disease
see also allopathy
Derived forms
homeopathic (ˌhomeoˈpathic) (ˌhoʊmiˈɑpəˈpæθɪk)
adjective
Word origin
Ger homöopathie, lit., likeness of feeling (see homeo- & -pathy): coined (c. 1800) by Hahnemann
What evidence do you have to suggest that homeopathy is effective?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The use of homeopathy in canine epilepsy is controversial.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The people who use homeopathy have an opinion.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
She uses homeopathy to ease her woes.
The Sun (2015)
And that's why homeopathy appears to work.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
You won't be surprised to hear that there is no reliable evidence that homeopathy works for any medical condition.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There is no reason to suppose homeopathy should work, no way it can work, and no proof it does work.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
I am a trained doctor and I have used homeopathy in general practice and in a homeopathic hospital.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
homeopathy
British English: homeopathy /ˌhəʊmɪˈɒpəθɪ/ NOUN
Homeopathy is a way of treating illness in which the patient is given very small amounts of a drug which would produce symptoms of the illness if taken in large quantities.