therapeutic English · revision 15482

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1646|origins=grc θεραπεύω}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌθɛɹ.əˈpjuː.tɪk/ ''(UK)''; /ˌθɛɹ.əˈpju.tɪk/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably a shortening of earlier therapeutical (1605), modelled on [[la-new|therapeuticus|t=curing, healing]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from [[grc|θεραπευτικός|tr=therapeutikós]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|grc|θεραπευτής|tr=therapeutḗs|t=one who serves]], from [[m|grc|θεραπεύω|tr=therapeúō|t=to serve, take care of, treat medically]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) related to [[m|grc|θεράπων|tr=therápōn|t=attendant]], of uncertain origin.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As an adjective, relating to the healing of disease: 1646 in Barnhart and the OED, the 1640s in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) As a noun, the branch of medicine concerned with treatment, it was used from the 1540s,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) now usually in the plural ''therapeutics''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was also used of the Therapeutae, an ancient Jewish ascetic sect, from 1681.^(OED 1989) The therapeutic community, a residential unit for psychiatric treatment, is from 1964.^(OED 1989) Serving to maintain health, as ''therapeutic fasting'', or simply relaxing and good for the mind, is a modern use.^(Collins 2023)^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1540s – therapeutic, therapeutics (noun).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1605 – therapeutical.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1646 – therapeutic (adjective).^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1964 – therapeutic community.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Relating to the treatment of disease; [[curative]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Having a good effect on body or mind; healing.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[therapeutically]]

+ * [[chemotherapeutic]]

+ * [[nontherapeutic]]

+ * [[psychotherapeutic]]

+ * [[subtherapeutic]]

+ * [[untherapeutic]]

+ * [[therapeutic index]]

+ * [[therapeutic abortion]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[therapeutics]]

+ * [[therapist]]

+ * [[therapy]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}