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Webster 1913 Edition


Allopathy

Al-lop′a-thy

,
Noun.
[Gr. [GREEK] other + [GREEK] suffering, [GREEK], [GREEK], to suffer: cf. G.
allopathie
, F.
allopathie
. See
Pathos
.]
That system of medical practice which aims to combat disease by the use of remedies which produce effects different from those produced by the special disease treated; – a term invented by Hahnemann to designate the ordinary practice, as opposed to
homeopathy
.

Definition 2024


allopathy

allopathy

English

Alternative forms

Noun

allopathy (countable and uncountable, plural allopathies)

  1. (uncountable) (historical) a system of alternative medicine that treats symptoms with substances that produce the opposite effect
  2. (countable) a conventional Western medical method or treatment.
  3. (figuratively) organized medicine

Derived terms

Usage notes

  • Originally, this indicated solely treatment according to the "law of opposites" rather than the homeopathic "law of similars"; it is now principally used to distinguish conventional medicine from homeopathy (USA, UK, EU), especially in the literature of homeopathy.
  • In the United States, the term is sometimes used to distinguish MDs from DOs (osteopathic physicians), usually in discussions of medical education.
  • In India, used principally to distinguish "Western medicine" from Ayurveda, especially when comparing treatments and drugs.

Translations