acupuncture
[ noun ak-yoo-puhngk-cher; verb ak-yoo-puhngk-cher, ak-yoo-puhngk- ]
/ noun ˈæk yʊˌpʌŋk tʃər; verb ˈæk yʊˌpʌŋk tʃər, ˌæk yʊˈpʌŋk- /
noun
a Chinese medical practice or procedure that treats illness or provides local anesthesia by the insertion of needles at specified sites of the body.
verb (used with object), ac·u·punc·tured, ac·u·punc·tur·ing.
to perform acupuncture on.
Origin of acupuncture
1675–85; < Latin
acū with a needle (ablative of
acus needle) or
acu- (as combining form of
acus) +
puncture
Words nearby acupuncture
aculeus,
acumen,
acuminate,
acupoint,
acupressure,
acupuncture,
acupuncturist,
acus,
acusector,
acutance,
acute
Example sentences from the Web for acupuncture
British Dictionary definitions for acupuncture
acupuncture
/ (ˈækjʊˌpʌŋktʃə) /
noun
the insertion of the tips of needles into the skin at specific points for the purpose of treating various disorders by stimulating nerve impulses. Originally Chinese, this method of treatment is practised in many parts of the world
Also called: stylostixis
Derived forms of acupuncture
acupunctural, adjective acupuncturist, nounWord Origin for acupuncture
C17: from Latin
acus needle +
puncture
Medical definitions for acupuncture
acupuncture
[ ăk′yə-pŭngk′chər ]
n.
A procedure used in or adapted from Chinese medical practice in which specific body areas are pierced with fine needles for therapeutic purposes or to relieve pain or produce regional anesthesia.
Scientific definitions for acupuncture
acupuncture
[ ăk′yu-pŭngk′chər ]
The practice of inserting thin needles into the body at specific points to relieve pain, treat a disease, or anesthetize a body part during surgery. Acupuncture has its origin in traditional Chinese medicine and has been in use for more than 5,000 years.
Cultural definitions for acupuncture
acupuncture
[ (ak-yuh-pungk-chuhr) ]
A technique, which originated in China, for curing disease, relieving pain, or bringing about partial anesthesia by inserting needles into the body at specific points.