therapeutic

views updated May 17 2018

ther·a·peu·tic / ˌ[unvoicedth]erəˈpyoōtik/ • adj. of or relating to the healing of disease: diagnostic and therapeutic facilities. ∎  administered or applied for reasons of health: a therapeutic shampoo. ∎  having a good effect on the body or mind; contributing to a sense of well-being: a therapeutic silence.DERIVATIVES: ther·a·peu·ti·cal adj.ther·a·peu·ti·cal·ly / -ik(ə)lē/ adv.ther·a·peu·tist / -tist/ n. ( archaic )

therapeutic

views updated May 21 2018

therapeutic (pl., formerly sg.) art of healing XVI. — F. thérapeutique or late L. therapeutica — Gr. therapeutikḗ, sb. f. therapeutḗs attendant. f. therapeúein administer to, treat medically, f. théraps, therap- attendant; see -IC.
So therapeutic adj. XVII — Gr. therapeutikós. therapy medical treatment. XIX. — Gr. therapeíā; see -Y3.