antipathic

English

Etymology 1

From French antipathique. By surface analysis, anti- +‎ -pathic.

Adjective

antipathic (comparative more antipathic, superlative most antipathic)

1. Characterized by antipathy. [from 1687]

   Synonyms: antipathetic, antipathetical, antipathical, antipathous (obsolete)

Derived terms

• antipathical
• antipathically

Translations

characterized by antipathy — see antipathetic

Etymology 2

Perhaps independently from anti- +‎ -pathic, after German antipatisch.

Adjective

antipathic (comparative more antipathic, superlative most antipathic)

1. (homeopathy) Directly counteracting a symptom or pathological process. [from 1827]

   Coordinate terms: allopathic, homeopathic

   • 1833, S[amuel] Hahnemann, translated by Charles H. Devrient, “Organon of Medicine”, in The Homœopathic Medical Doctrine, or, “Organon of the Healing Art;” a New System of Physic, […], Dublin: W[illiam] F[rederick] Wakeman, […]; London: Simpkin and Marshall and R[ichard] Groombridge; Edinburgh: Maclachlan and Stewart, →OCLC, § LVIII, page 154:

     The source of all these pernicious results of palliative antipathic treatment, and the salutary effects proceeding from the reverse method, the homœopathic, will be sufficiently explained in the following observations which are drawn from experience and a number of facts that have hitherto escaped the notice of every one save myself, although they were immediately before the view, perfectly evident in their nature, and of the deepest importance to the medical art.

   • 1906 October, “Homeopathy vs. Anti-pathy”, in H[enry] C[lay] Allen, editor, The Medical Advance and Journal of Homeopathics, volume XLIV, number 10, Batavia, Ill.: J[ames] E. Forrest, →OCLC, Department of Homeopathics (conducted by Guernsey P[enny] Waring), page 648:

     This sham and duplicity cannot be longer excused or tolerated. Those who recommend and bodily use antipathic methods should announce themselves as allopaths and train with that school of practice, and no longer misrepresent and dishonor the homeopathic system.

   • 1983, Andrew Weil, “Like Cures Like, and Less Is More”, in Health and Healing: Understanding Conventional and Alternative Medicine, Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin Company, →ISBN, part I (Treatment and Cure: The Strange Case of Homeopathy), page 17:

     The opposite of treatment by similars is treatment by contraries, and Hahnemann called this practice antipathy. Giving aspirin to lower fever or prescribing antihypertensive drugs to treat high blood pressure are examples of antipathic medicine.