homeopathic

adjective

ho·​meo·​path·​ic ˌhō-mē-ə-ˈpa-thik 

1

: of or relating to homeopathy or homeopathic medicine

homeopathic remedies

Another homeopathic dictum, the "law of infinitesimals", states that the smaller the dose, the more powerful the effect.

—Leon Jaroff

2

: of a diluted or insipid nature

He was probably a homeopathic abolitionist …

—William Allen White

Charley, please give a world of my respect & esteem to Miss Ida, & a homeopathic dose of my love.

—Mark Twain

homeopathically

ˌhō-mē-ə-ˈpa-thi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

a homeopathically prepared treatment

Examples of homeopathic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This ministry has endorsed dubious homeopathic prophylactic treatments and undermined the efforts of the health ministry to fight misinformation and superstition. —Vidya Krishnan, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2020

The health benefits of wild garlic Wild garlic appears to have a host of healthy properties and has long been used in Europe and Asia as a homeopathic remedy for everything from toothaches to bloating to the flu. —Christina Pérez, Vogue, 2 May 2024

Some homeopathic healthcare providers swear by its efficacy, as do many users, but limited scientific evidence exists. —Isadora Baum, Health, 13 Apr. 2024

Charles believes homeopathic and herbal remedies can play a supporting role alongside modern medicine. —Karla Adam, Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

homeo- + -pathic, after German homöopathisch

Note: The German adjective was introduced by Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), the founder of homeopathy, probably first in the essay "Fingerzeige auf den homöopathischen Gebrauch der Arzeien in der bisherigen Praxis," Journal der practischen Arzneykunde und Wundarzneykunst, edited by C. W. Hufeland, Band 26, 2. Theil (1807), pp. 5-43. Upon introducing the word, Hahnemann defines it in a footnote: "Homöopathisch ist, was ein ὅμοιον πάθος, ein ähnliches Leiden zu erzeugen Tendenz hat" ("Homeopathic is that which tends to produce a hómoion páthos, a similar suffering") (p. 8). See also allopathic.

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing homeopathic

• homeopathic medicine

Medical Definition

homeopathic

adjective

ho·​meo·​path·​ic

variants or British homoeopathic

ˌhō-mē-ə-ˈpath-ik 

: of or relating to homeopathy or homeopathic medicine

homeopathic methods

Homeopathic remedies are derived from plants (chamomile, poison ivy, rue), minerals (sulfur, iron, mercury), or animals (squid ink, bee venom) prepared as highly dilute solutions.

—Andrew Weil, Self Healing

homeopathically adverb

or British homoeopathically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

homeopathically diluted solutions