Word of the Day

: June 23, 2008

nocebo

noun noh-SEE-boh

What It Means

: a harmless substance that when taken by a patient is associated with harmful effects due to negative expectations or the psychological condition of the patient

nocebo in Context

Patients given the nocebo reported mild to severe headaches.

Did You Know?

"Nocent" has been in the English language as a word for "harmful" since the 15th century. It comes from Latin "nocēre," meaning "to harm." Latin "nocebo" is a close relative that means "I will be harmful" and that contrasts with "placebo," meaning "I shall please." People in medicine began using "placebo" for inert preparations prescribed solely for a patient's mental relief, and not for relieving a disorder, in the late 18th century. As doctors began to observe the effects of placebos, some noticed that the harmless preparations actually sometimes caused detrimental effects on the patient's health. English speakers began using the word "nocebo" for substances causing such adverse reactions in patients in 1961.