hippocratic oath: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

No. Most medical schools administer a modernized version that adapts the ancient text to contemporary ethical and legal standards, though they retain the name 'Hippocratic Oath.'

The phrase 'First, do no harm' (Latin: 'Primum non nocere') is widely associated with it, though it does not appear verbatim in the original Greek text. A central injunction is 'I will use treatment to help the sick... but never with a view to injury and wrong-doing.'

Yes, but it is a deliberate metaphor. It is used to describe a similarly solemn ethical commitment in other fields (e.g., journalism, AI ethics), implying the same level of duty and care.

Hippocrates was an ancient Greek physician (c. 460–370 BCE), often called the 'Father of Medicine.' The oath is attributed to him, though its exact authorship is uncertain.

A solemn ethical code traditionally taken by physicians, historically attributed to Hippocrates, pledging to practice medicine conscientiously and ethically, with a primary focus on the well-being of the patient and the injunction to "do no harm.

Hippocratic oath is usually formal; professional; academic; literary (when used metaphorically). in register.

Hippocratic oath: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɪp.əˌkræt.ɪk ˈəʊθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɪp.əˌkræt̬.ɪk ˈoʊθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.