allopathy

views updated May 17 2018

al·lop·a·thy / əˈläpə[unvoicedth]ē/ • n. the treatment of disease by conventional means, i.e., with drugs having opposite effects to the symptoms. Often contrasted with homeopathy.DERIVATIVES: al·lo·path·ic / ˌaləˈpa[unvoicedth]ik/ adj.al·lop·a·thist / -[unvoicedth]ist/ n.

allopathy

views updated Jun 11 2018

allopathy (ă-lop-ă-thi) n. (in homeopathic medicine) the orthodox system of medicine, in which the use of drugs is directed to producing effects in the body that will directly oppose and so alleviate the symptoms of a disease. Compare homeopathy.