therapy

USTHER-uh-pee/ˈθɛɹ.ə.pi/

Pluraltherapies

5 meanings of therapy

1
nouncountable or uncountable
Medical care meant to cure or ease an illness after a doctor finds what is wrong.
Like the work a repair shop does to fix something after finding what is broken.
After surgery, she began therapy to rebuild strength in her leg.
The doctor explained that this kind of therapy can take many weeks.
Similartreatment, remedy, regimen
Note
2
noununcountable
Treatment for mental or emotional problems by talking with a trained helper.
Like having a guide help you find your way through hard feelings.
She started therapy to deal with her anxiety.
Talking to a counselor in therapy helped him feel less alone.
Similarpsychotherapy, counseling, analysis
Note
3
noununcountable
The calming, healing feeling that some activities can give you.
Like how a warm bath can wash away the stress of the day.
For her, painting is real therapy after a long week.
A walk in the woods can be good therapy for a tired mind.
Similarsolace, comfort, balm, tonic, relief

Less common meanings

4
verbraretransitive
To give someone medical treatment for an illness or injury.
Specialists therapy patients using a mix of methods.
I was therapying her for some gene-based subroutine screwups that prevented easeful sexuality.
2014, Greg Bear, Queen of AngelsHere, therapying means giving her treatment for a health problem.
Similartreat
Note
5
verbrareintransitive
To receive or go through a course of medical treatment.
Patients here therapy for weeks before they recover.
Therapy has almost eliminated violence, and people are divided into groups — the "therapied" and the "un-therapied."
1992, Talking Book TopicsHere, therapied means people who have gone through treatment.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Ancient Greek 'therapeia', meaning 'service' or 'medical treatment', which came into English through New Latin.