Placebo Meaning and Definition
Placebo
Pronunciation
/ˈpleɪsboʊ/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A substance or treatment that has no pharmacological effect, but gives the appearance of a beneficial effect through the power of suggestion, imagination, or psychological influence.
Etymology
The word “placebo” comes from the Latin phrase “placere,” meaning “to please” or “to gratify.” It was first used in medicine in the 17th century to describe a substance given to patients that appeared to have a therapeutic effect, but actually had no real medicinal value.
Usage Notes
The term “placebo” is often used in a figurative sense to describe a situation where people believe something is working or has an impact, even if it doesn’t actually have any tangible effect.
Cultural References
The word “placebo” has appeared in various forms of media, including literature, film, and music. For example, the concept of the placebo effect has been explored in novels such as “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat” by Oliver Sacks and in films like “Pill popping in the Morning” directed by Mike Leigh.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- “The placebo effect” is often used to describe the phenomenon where people’s symptoms improve due to their expectation of improvement.
Related Words or Phrases
- Phantom pain
- Psychosomatic effect
Collocations
- “Placebo effect” collocates with words like “medicine,” “treatment,” and “therapy.”
The word “placebo” is commonly used in medical and scientific contexts, as well as in popular culture and everyday conversation.
Common Misspellings
- Plasebo
- Placibo