WordValenoun
placebo
an inactive treatment used for comparison in trials
In more detail
1. (noun) a pill or medicine given to a patient that contains no real drug, used in medical tests to compare its effects with a real medicine
2. (noun) something that makes a person feel better psychologically even though it has no real medical effect
Examples
- 1. In the study, half the patients received the real drug and half received a placebo.
- 2. Some people take vitamins as a placebo to feel healthier, even if they don't actually need them.
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