placebo
Translation
placebo
Examples
Some patients were given a placebo.
Some patients were given a placebo.
The placebo effect is a real phenomenon.
The placebo effect is a real phenomenon.
Grammar Patterns
((a/an)) placebo a substance that has no physical effect The control group received a placebo.
((the)) placebo effect the beneficial effect produced by a placebo The placebo effect is powerful.
Similar Words
Synonyms: dummy pill, sugar pill
Etymology
From Latin 'placebo', meaning 'I shall please'. Its medical sense comes from the idea of pleasing a patient rather than treating them.
Memory Tips
Remember 'placebo pleases'. It's a fake treatment that pleases the patient by making them believe it's real.