placebo
pluh-SEE-boh
/pləˈsiːboʊ/
A harmless pill, medicine, or procedure prescribed more for the psychological benefit to the patient than for any physiological effect.
Often used in clinical trials as a 'control' to see if a new drug actually works better than just the patient's belief.
The story behind the word. In the 14th century, 'placebo' was the first word of the Latin vespers for the dead ('Placebo Domino in regione vivorum'). It became associated with professional mourners who were paid to 'please' the deceased's family, and eventually with doctors who gave harmless treatments to please their patients.
Word relationships
- sugar pill: Sugar pill is a common, slightly informal term for a placebo tablet.
- nocebo: A nocebo is a harmless substance that causes harmful effects because of the patient's negative expectations.
Commonly confused with
- remedy: A remedy has an active ingredient; a placebo does not.
Collocations
- placebo effect
- placebo-controlled
- active placebo
- placebo group
Example sentences
- "In a double-blind study, neither the patients nor the doctors know who is receiving the drug and who is receiving the placebo." Clinical trial methodology.
- "The placebo effect is a remarkable phenomenon where a placebo can sometimes improve a patient's condition simply because the person has the expectation that it will be helpful." Describing the effect.
Memory hook
PLACE-bo: It 'places' a 'bo-nus' of belief in the patient's mind. I shall please.
When not to use
Don't use it to mean 'fake' in a derogatory way; the 'placebo effect' is a real and powerful psychological phenomenon.
Fun facts
- The color of a placebo pill can change its effectiveness; for example, red placebos are often perceived as stimulants, while blue ones are seen as depressants.
Related words
Explore more words
clinical, efficacy, palliative, illusion, intervention, optimism
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