allopathy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Technical (Medical, Alternative Medicine)
Quick answer
What does “allopathy” mean?
A system of medical practice that aims to combat disease by using remedies (such as drugs or surgery) which produce effects different from or opposite to those produced by the disease.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A system of medical practice that aims to combat disease by using remedies (such as drugs or surgery) which produce effects different from or opposite to those produced by the disease.
The term is now used primarily to denote conventional Western medicine, in contrast to homeopathy or other alternative medical systems. In common usage, it often functions as a label for mainstream, evidence-based medicine from the perspective of its critics or proponents of alternative therapies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition or usage. The term is used similarly in both varieties within the contexts of alternative medicine discourse.
Connotations
Can carry slightly stronger negative connotations when used by critics of mainstream medicine, a nuance present in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both UK and US English, confined to specific technical or polemical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “allopathy” in a Sentence
[Allopathy] is contrasted with [homeopathy].Proponents of [alternative medicine] criticise [allopathy].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “allopathy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- The allopathic approach often involves pharmaceutical interventions.
- She decided to consult an allopathic practitioner for her condition.
American English
- Allopathic treatments are typically covered by major health insurers.
- He was skeptical of allopathic remedies for chronic pain.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in history of medicine, medical anthropology, and sociology of health to distinguish between different healing paradigms.
Everyday
Very rarely used in general conversation. Might be encountered in discussions about alternative health choices.
Technical
Core term in discourses of homeopathy and other alternative medicine fields to label the opposing system.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “allopathy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “allopathy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “allopathy”
- Using 'allopathy' as a synonym for all of medicine in a neutral context. Incorrect: 'I study allopathy at university.' Correct: 'I study medicine.'
- Confusing it with 'homeopathy'. They are opposites.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Allopathy' is a specific term used to label conventional Western medicine, often in contrast to alternative systems. Most doctors simply call their field 'medicine'.
It was coined by Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, in the early 19th century. It was originally a somewhat pejorative term for the medical practices he opposed.
It is more common than the noun 'allopathy'. You might encounter 'allopathic physician' or 'allopathic treatment' in discussions about different types of healthcare.
Schools that grant Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees teach what is often referred to by others as allopathy. They typically describe their curriculum as training in 'medicine' or 'biomedical science'.
A system of medical practice that aims to combat disease by using remedies (such as drugs or surgery) which produce effects different from or opposite to those produced by the disease.
Allopathy is usually formal, technical (medical, alternative medicine) in register.
Allopathy: in British English it is pronounced /əˈlɒpəθi/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈlɑːpəθi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ALLOpathy = the 'other' pathy (from Greek 'allos' meaning 'other'). It treats with something 'other' than (or opposite to) the disease symptoms, unlike homeopathy which treats 'like with like'.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICAL SYSTEMS ARE OPPOSING ARMIES / MEDICINE IS WAR (allopathy 'fights' disease with opposing forces).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'allopathy' most appropriately used?