homeopathic

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   relating to homeopathy or to remedies prepared according to its principles

   The clinic sold homeopathic remedies beside conventional medicines.

2. 2
   adj

   figuratively, extremely small, weak, or dilute

   The committee offered only a homeopathic dose of reform.

Formed from homeopathy + -ic. Homeopathy was coined from Greek homoios, 'similar,' and pathos, 'suffering or disease,' for the doctrine of treating like with like. The figurative sense alludes to the extreme dilution of homeopathic preparations. Homoeopathic is the traditional British spelling.

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