Placebos Meaning in English
word · lemma: placebo
Definition
Placebos are substances, such as pills or treatments, that do not have an active effect on symptoms but are given to make the patient believe they are receiving real medicine. They are often used in medical studies to compare with real treatments.
Usage & Nuances
Most often plural ('placebos') in studies since multiple people get them. Used mainly in medical and scientific contexts. Not the same as fake medicine sold to trick people; 'placebos' are used ethically, under controlled experiments.
Example Sentences
Doctors used placebos in the medical experiment.
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Some patients got real medicine and others received placebos.
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Placebos can sometimes make people feel better, even if they have no medicine in them.
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In clinical trials, half the volunteers usually get placebos.
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The surprising thing is, placebos sometimes work just as well as the real drug.
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Researchers are careful to explain to participants when they are taking placebos in a study.
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